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Angela Rayner abuser who threatened to kill ex-Deputy PM and her son learns fate

Elizabeth Harker, 63, targeted Angela Rayner in abusive voicemails sent via her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency office in September last year - the day she resigned from the Cabinet

[Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner prepares to address delegates during the Labour Party Conference 2024 at ACC Liverpool on September 22, 2024 in Liverpool, England. This is Labour's first conference since they were returned as the governing party of The UK and Northern Ireland by voters in the July election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. They won with a landslide majority of 172 seats, and 412 in total. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)]

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The woman sent abusive messages to Angela Rayner, including death threats(Image: Getty Images)

A woman who bombarded Angela Rayner with abusive messages - including threats to kill her and her son - has been sentenced to an 18-month community order and banned from contacting the politician.

Elizabeth Harker, 63, targeted the former deputy prime minister in abusive voicemails sent via her Ashton-under-Lyne constituency office on September 5 last year - the day she resigned from the Cabinet.

The court heard the defendant left four voice mails to a hotline "all of which were abusive". They were "calling her (Ms Rayner) a 'filthy w***e', a 's**g', as well as warnings saying 'you don't know what is coming to you'. Further messages saw Harker threaten to kill Rayner and her son.

The calls were from a mobile phone that was registered to Harker's home address.

[Angela Rayner]

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Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister in September last year(Image: Sky News/PA)

In a separate incident, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard the 63-year-old had also posted a handwritten note to a woman called Dorris Fortune - filled with slurs and comments such as "scroungers, I reported you" and "drop dead scrounger".

On Tuesday, District judge Briony Clarke told Harker that her actions had "a significant impact on the two victims".

Ms Rayner described her behaviour as "unacceptable" and felt "distressed and alarmed" by the threats, while Ms Fortune says she feels "anxious".

In sentencing, the judge said: "These are serious offences. I can see that you understand that. It is quite remarkable that at 63 years of age and with no previous convictions you have behaved in this way and find yourself before the court.

"The messages, the call, the letter all completely unprovoked, deeply unpleasant and no doubt did have the impact on the victims."

[Westminster Magistrates' Court stock]

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The case was heard at Westminster Magistrates' Court(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

Angela Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister, Housing Secretary, and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party on September 5 last year following a tax scandal regarding the underpayment of stamp duty on her 800,000 flat in Hove.

She left after an independent ethics adviser's report concluded she breached the ministerial code, despite Ms Rayner arguing the failure to pay the correct tax was an honest mistake.

The judge said: "Ms Rayner is Member of Parliament, working in a public-facing role. It is also aggravated by the fact that you were in drink at the time."

Harker, of Luton, Bedfordshire, previously pleaded guilty to sending a communication that was "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" in the form of four voicemails that targeted Ms Rayner. She also previously pleaded guilty to an offence of sending a communication with an indecent or offensive message.

Harker was handed an 18-month community order, including a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to carry out a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement to help deal with the "root cause" of her behaviour, the judge said.

Harker was given two five-year restraining orders, which ban her from contacting both Ms Rayner and Ms Fortune directly or indirectly. It also prevents her from going to Ms Fortune's address after she was caught on a Ring security doorbell leaving an abusive letter at her doorstep before running away.

The court also ordered Harker to pay 85 costs and a 114 statutory surcharge. She expressed remorse for her actions and has been to Alcoholics Anonymous as well as to her GP for help as she tries to deal with her long-term history, the court heard.

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