MP Harassment Case Ends in Prison Sentence
A woman has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for conducting a campaign of harassment against Ellie Reeves, the MP for Lewisham West and East Dulwich. Tracey Smith, 58, sent the solicitor general 22 emails and 10 voicemails containing threatening language and false accusations between July and October 2024.
Threatening Communications and False Claims
The court heard how Smith's messages included inflammatory phrases such as "bullets will be flying around" and described the MP as "transphobic". In one particularly serious allegation, Smith falsely claimed that Rachel Reeves, the chancellor and Ellie's sister, had physically assaulted her at a buffet bar.
District Judge Michael Snow, presiding at Westminster Magistrates' Court, described the harassment as "a direct attack upon democracy" designed to cause maximum fear and distress. The judge noted that Smith continued her campaign even after being explicitly told to stop.
Impact on MP's Work and Personal Life
The harassment had significant consequences for the MP's ability to perform her democratic duties. Ellie Reeves revealed during the trial that the persistent communications forced her to make substantial changes to her lifestyle and constituency work.
She now requires a special protection officer and has stopped travelling on foot or using public transport within her south London constituency. The MP told the court that the messages were upsetting both her and her staff, creating an atmosphere of constant anxiety that affected her family life.
Smith had even managed to obtain a witness summons from a county court, which required intervention from lawyers representing the Speaker of the House of Commons to prevent the MP from being compelled to appear.
Sentencing and Restraining Order
On Friday, District Judge Snow handed down the 26-week prison sentence and ordered Smith to pay £650 in costs. The court also imposed a restraining order with no time limit, prohibiting any future contact with the MP.
The judge emphasised that Smith's actions were "deliberate, planned, and had a very significant effect on Ms Reeves", directly impacting her ability to serve her constituents effectively. Despite Smith's claims that she was merely seeking help from her MP, the court found her guilty of harassment following a one-day trial last month.
