Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Woman admits sending email threats to Bradford MP

AFTER receiving death threats, a Labour MP along with her children were forced to flee her home in the middle of the night.

A 30-year-old woman, Sundas Alam has admitted threatening the Bradford West MP Naz Shah via email.


Shah said she had previously received many death threats, but this is the first occasion when she had dialled 999.

"I really genuinely felt it was an immediate firearms threat," she was quaoted as saying.

Alam, of Princeville Street, Bradford, had previously denied three charges of sending threatening communications to the MP and a charge of perverting the course of justice.

However, on Thursday, she changed her pleas to guilty at York Crown Court.

As reported by the Telegraph and Argus, the court heard that Shah was so upset after receiving five emails on 3 April that she called 999.

It added that the contents of the emails included "you are going to die this week coming" and "you won't see your children", also sexual threats and insults.

Reports suggest that Alam had deliberately used spoof email addresses to make it appear that they were sent by someone else. In the early hours of 4 April, three people were arrested, Alam's former line manager, his wife and brother.

But they were later released after it became clear who was behind the threat emails.

Shah said Alam's actions had led to an entirely innocent family being dragged out of their beds by armed police and questioned for 20 hours.

"I can't imagine what they went through," she said.

Praising the actions of West Yorkshire Police, Shah said it was the first time she had dialled 999, having "genuinely felt it was an immediate firearms threat".

"It was the length of time between one email and the other," she said.

"I was thinking, 'this is somebody stewing, this is somebody stewing for so many hours and actually saying, 'how do you want this rifle to your head or through the window'."

Shah added: "At the time it was really, really real."

After making the call, she said that she remained at home to wait for the police, but her priority was to make sure her children were taken to a safe place.

She said: "You should never get used to people threatening your family. It shouldn't be a pre-requisite for doing the job."

Alam has been remanded to custody and is due to be sentenced on 29 November.

More For You

Southport

Floral tributes left by members of the public are seen following the fatal knife attack on three young girls in July in Southport.

Reuters

Public inquiry begins into Southport girls' murders

A PUBLIC inquiry begins on Tuesday into the murders of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport last year.

The inquiry will examine whether the attack could have been prevented and how future incidents might be avoided.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing a Labour backbench revolt over plans to reform special needs support in schools without guaranteeing existing legal rights. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images)

Starmer faces Labour pushback over SEND reform plans

KEIR STARMER is facing a backlash from Labour MPs over plans to reform special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support, after ministers stopped short of guaranteeing legal rights for parents.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was committed to reforming the current system, which costs £12 billion a year. However, she did not confirm if legally enforceable rights, such as those provided by education, health and care plans (EHCPs), would remain.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week

iStock

Heavy rain and thunderstorms hit London before 30°C heatwave

Key points

  • Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench London at the start of the week
  • Temperatures set to rise with highs of 31°C expected by Thursday
  • Heatwave could be declared by Friday if warm conditions persist
  • Night-time temperatures to remain high, increasing discomfort
  • UV and pollen levels forecast to be very high across the south

Thunderstorms soak London before summer heat returns

Londoners faced a wet and stormy start to the week as heavy rain and overnight thunderstorms swept through the capital. Monday morning saw widespread downpours, leaving commuters reaching for umbrellas and Wimbledon ticket hopefuls queuing in ponchos.

The unsettled conditions followed a burst of thunderstorms on Sunday afternoon and continued into the early hours of Monday, prompting caution across the city. The Met Office has not issued a formal weather warning for thunderstorms, but conditions remain unstable.

Keep ReadingShow less
National Trust sets vision to heal
nature and engage more Asians

Lisa Nandy, Steve Reed, René Olivieri and Hilary McGrady at a National Trust event marking its 130th anniversary

National Trust sets vision to heal nature and engage more Asians

THE National Trust, which is seeking to broaden its appeal to British Asians, is marking its 130th anniversary with a renewed commitment to restoring nature and widening access under a 10-year strategy.

Its director-general, Hilary McGrady, also aims to inspire more people to get involved in caring for the country’s natural resources.

Keep ReadingShow less
 7/7 bombings

The King said the public should draw on the 'extraordinary courage and compassion' shown in response to the attacks. (Photo credit: X/@RoyalFamily)

Starmer and King Charles pay tribute on 20th anniversary of 7/7 bombings

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer and King Charles on Monday paid tribute to the unity shown in the aftermath of the 7 July bombings in London, as the country marked 20 years since the attacks.

On 7 July 2005, four Islamist extremists carried out suicide bombings at Aldgate Station, Edgware Road, King's Cross and Tavistock Square. The attacks killed 52 people and injured hundreds more.

Keep ReadingShow less