…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
In a recent court appearance, a 44-year-old man, Simon Parry, was charged with stalking and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
The charges were related to his alleged threats to arrest former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson.
The proceedings took place at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Stalking Allegations and Police Impersonation:
According to the prosecution, Parry had “persistently followed” Sir Gavin on two occasions between May 24 and June 14 of this year.
On June 14, he also impersonated a police officer.
Parry presented a warrant card to Sir Gavin, threatening to arrest him.
This incident occurred as Sir Gavin was leaving the House of Commons.
Despite the MP’s denial and insistence that Parry was not a police officer, the defendant eventually left.
Defense and Living Arrangements:
During the court hearing, Parry’s defense counsel, Sonia Larbi Aissa, informed the court that her client resides in a protest encampment in Westminster.
However, she mentioned that an acquaintance had offered Parry accommodation at his home address in south-east London before his next court appearance.
Denial of Charges and Bail Conditions:
Parry pleaded not guilty to one count of stalking and one count of impersonating a law enforcement officer.
The court granted him bail with the condition that he stays away from the City of Westminster and avoids approaching Sir Gavin.
Poetry Request Denied:
At one point during the proceedings, Parry requested permission from Deputy Senior District Judge Tan Ikram to read one of his poems aloud to the court.
However, the judge denied his request.
Trial Date:
The trial for Simon Parry has been scheduled for October 18 at the City of London Magistrate’s Court.
Sir Gavin Williamson, who has been the Member of Parliament for South Staffordshire since 2010, previously held positions as defense secretary and education secretary under Prime Minister Boris Johnson.