A man has gone on trial accused of stalking former Education Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson. Simon Parry, aged 45, denies one count of stalking. A charge of impersonating a police officer was also given and denied but has now been dropped. The South Staffordshire MP claimed to have been followed twice by Parry and that he was fearful and fretful about his safety as he made comments about arresting him.
Sir Gavin gave evidence in the trial at City of London Magistrates’ Court saying that he felt “incredibly threatened” by Parry, who allegedly followed him along streets in Whitehall on two occasions earlier this year. The incidents allegedly took place on May 24 and June 14. During the May incident, the MP said he heard Parry making comments about vaccinations while walking in close proximity and that Parry’s persistence in following him towards Euston was quite disturbing.
District Judge Tan Ikram said there was no case to answer for the charge of impersonating a police officer that Parry faced. Olivia Beach, the defendant’s lawyer, submitted that the evidence was so poor or weak that it would be unsafe to convict Parry on the charge, and the judge upheld her submission. Parry denies any wrongdoing.
Sir Gavin served as defence secretary before becoming education secretary under the then-PM Boris Johnson in 2019. He told the court he felt threatened by the alleged incidents. The trial continues
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