Brexiteer who egged Corbyn \'could be jailed\'

Jeremy Corbyn egging: Brexiteer jailed for 28 days

Jeremy Corbyn Image copyright PA
Image caption Jeremy Corbyn said he was surprised by the unprovoked attack

A Brexit supporter who egged Jeremy Corbyn while yelling "respect the vote" has been jailed for 28 days.

John Murphy, 31, admitted attacking the Labour leader with an egg following the MPs visit to a mosque in his Islington North constituency on 3 March.

Mr Corbyn was "shocked and surprised" by the attack, which prompted his team to increase his security, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard.

Magistrates said Murphy had attacked "our democratic process".

Murphy, 31, of Whetstone, Barnet, north-west London, earlier admitted the charge of assault by beating.

'Frustration and anger'

Chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot told Murphy, of Totteridge Common, a custodial sentence would send a clear message that "attacks on MPs must stop".

Sentencing him to 28 days in jail, she added: "An attack like this is an attack on our democratic process."

In mitigation, Malik Aldeiri, representing Murphy blamed his client's actions on, "frustration and anger borne out of the political situation we find ourselves in".

Mr Aldeiri said: "He felt he was making a statement. He believes his civil rights were violated and this was a demonstration by him against what he says is a failure by Parliament to adhere to his democratic vote."

'Respect the vote'

Mr Corbyn was with the Labour shadow home secretary Diane Abbott at the Muslim Welfare Centre at the time of the attack, a week after the party announced it would support a second referendum on the UK leaving the European Union, prosecutor Kevin Christie said.

"Suddenly, he felt a strike to the right side of his forehead and then realised someone had reached over his right shoulder and struck him," Mr Christie said.

"As he was struck he heard a male voice shouting: 'Respect the vote."'

Mr Corbyn had left the room to wash himself when he realised he had been struck by an egg.

'Unprovoked and threatening'

Murphy continued to shout "respect the vote" while being restrained by staff.

Mr Corbyn, who was largely uninjured but left with a red mark, noted Murphy's face was "contorted" with rage and he appeared "very aggressive".

In a victim impact statement he said: "I was shocked and surprised when the assault occurred as I have always felt safe and secure at the Muslim Welfare House.

"The assault was completely unprovoked and threatening. Whilst I'm determined to make sure I'm able to interact with people as I always have, I now have to be more cautious."