Claudia Webbe: Acid threat MP makes House of Commons return

Disgraced MP Claudia Webbe has made her first speech in the House of Commons since being handed a suspended jail term.

A couple of shouts of “hear, hear” from fellow opposition MPs could be heard when Ms Webbe was called to speak in an Opposition Day debate on VAT on household energy bills.

Hansard records show the MP for Leicester East last spoke in the Commons in July, shortly before the summer recess.

Division lists show Ms Webbe has taken part in Commons votes in recent weeks.

In November, the 56-year-old was handed a 10-week jail term – suspended for two years – and 200 hours community service after being convicted of threatening to throw acid in the face of another woman.

The court heard it was part of a one-sided harassment campaign born out of jealousy against a long-term friend of her boyfriend.

Ms Webbe, Leicester East MP since 2019, always denied the allegation and said she felt like a “victim” herself due to the amount of abuse she received on social media.

Any recall petition, which would trigger a by-election if at least 10% of her constituents in Leicester East supported it, would have to wait until the outcome of her appeal.