THE partner of an MP found guilty of harassment could be called to give evidence for the first time as she bids to overturn her conviction, reported the BBC.
Claudia Webbe, former Labour MP for Leicester East, was given a suspended sentence in November.
A court heard she threatened a friend of her partner Lester Thomas with an acid attack as she was jealous of their relationship.
The appeal is expected to last two to three days at Southwark Crown Court, the report added.
Her trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court heard Webbe made several calls to Michelle Merritt between September 2018 and April 2020 in a campaign of harassment.
The court also heard how Webbe threatened to send naked images of Merritt to her family, as well as a recording of a call in which Webbe is heard shouting "get out of my relationship".
Thomas, a consultant at Crossrail and Chelsea Football Club scout, was not called as a witness at Webbe's trial, where she claimed she was the victim of "domestic abuse and coercive control".
She told the court she was "goaded and gaslighted" during a row, which resulted in police being called after a neighbour reported her screams.
However, according to the report, the couple arrived holding hands to court, where he sat in the public gallery throughout the trial.
Last week, a review hearing ahead of the appeal against Webbe's conviction and sentence, set for 9 March, heard Thomas may be called as a witness.
Prosecutor Susannah Stevens said the crown was "ready" for the appeal.
"At the magistrates' court, the defence did not call any defence witnesses. It may be that they will call Ms Webbe's partner Mr Thomas. If that is the case, in my submission it is likely to be three days," the Prosecutor was quoted as saying by the BBC.
"There is body-worn video and a number of recordings that relate to Thomas, which were not used at the magistrates' court for the obvious reason he was not a witness. But if he is going to be called, there is a likelihood we will play the recordings in cross-examination."
Webbe, who is now represented by Helen Law, was also criticised by Judge Deborah Taylor for failing to comply with court orders, which were supposed to be responded to by 30 November.
The judge said: "I require an explanation of why the orders of the court have not been complied with."
Webbe was not required to be present in court for the hearing.
Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads guilty to crossbow murders of BBC presenter’s family
A 26-YEAR-OLD man on Wednesday pleaded guilty to murdering two daughters of a BBC sports commentator and stabbing to death their mother in a crossbow attack.
Kyle Clifford had previously denied killing Carol Hunt, 61, the wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters, Louise Hunt, 25, and Hannah Hunt, 28.
However, appearing via video link at Cambridge Crown Court in eastern England, Clifford changed his pleas.
The court heard that Clifford tied up Louise Hunt, his former partner, binding her arms and ankles with duct tape before shooting her in the chest with a crossbow at the family home last July.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, one count of false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons. However, Clifford denied raping Louise.
The murders took place at the family home in the commuter town of Bushey, near Watford, northwest of London.
Clifford was arrested in July following a manhunt after the bodies of the three women were discovered.
(With inputs from AFP)