Penny Mordaunt had to step up security after stalker jumped barrier at her office, court hears | UK news

Former Conservative MP and House of Commons leader Penny Mordaunt was forced to increase security at her home and office after she was targeted by a pervert, a jury has heard.

Mordaunt wept in court as she described how 60-year-old Edward Brandt’s alleged interests, which included bombarding her with emails and calls and breaching the security barrier in his office, left her feeling vulnerable and exhausted.

She told Southampton Crown Court she believed Brandt wanted a romantic relationship with her. Mordaunt said: “This situation affected me greatly. You constantly have to think about whether he will be at your workplace or on your street.”

Prosecutor Robert Bryan said Brandt faces an allegation of stalking involving serious harm or distress. Brandt denies the accusation.

Bryan said: “His victim is Penny Mordaunt, the member of parliament for Portsmouth North and leader of the House of Commons until 2024. “She was resident on the Isle of Wight and therefore not part of Penny Mordaunt.

“Even though he’s an MP, he has the same legal protection as anyone else. MPs are vulnerable. Just look at Jo Cox or David Amess. Their basic level of fear is higher than ordinary members of the public.”

The prosecutor said Brandt called and emailed Mordaunt’s office in the fall of 2023, asking him for a cup of tea and asking about security arrangements. Bryan claimed Brandt emailed Mordaunt several times over the coming months, asking to meet.

In November 2023, Mordaunt’s Splash! He also sent a message about Olympic diver Tom Daley, with whom he appeared on the TV show. In 2014.

Bryan said that in December 2023, Brandt tried to bypass obstacles in his constituency office, which triggered alarms. “Security ran after him and asked questions about what he was doing,” Bryan said. “This indicated that tension was increasing. He [Mordaunt] was in his office and was escorted to his car.

Police were called and Brandt allegedly said he “just wanted to shake your hand.”

She was told not to contact him and said she understood, the court heard, but emailed him again in March 2024 to wish him a happy birthday; He apologized for being a day late and said their rejection had “strengthened his resolve”.

Bryan said that in May 2024, Brandt texted again and said: “I’m going to keep knocking on your door until you open the door and let me shake your hand.”

Giving evidence, Mordaunt said: “It made me feel very vulnerable and I had concerns for my own safety.

“I was very disappointed that he did not listen to the police warning. I thought his behavior was inappropriate and it was very disappointing that this behavior continued. I think he wanted a personal relationship with me.”

“It was clear that all normal and reasonable requests were ignored. I made assessments with the police and the parliamentary security team.

“We had to change security at the constituency office and we had to change some of my normal routine, which was quite predictable, and I was told not to use public transport.

“I had to change security in the office, hide the signage leading into the office and change the locks so we had personal keys to get in. I also installed CCTV outside the office and my staff and I had personal alarms which we did not have before.”

“References to my personal appearance reinforced my view that he wanted to establish a personal relationship with me.”

The trial continues.