Man fined for kicking Labour MP Jess Phillips’ office door and shouting: ‘Is this the fascist party offices?’

Staff rang police after 36-year-old banged door and yelled ‘Why are you blocking democracy?’

Michael Roby leaves Birmingham Magistrates' Court (PA)

A man has been fined after kicking out at the front door of Jess Phillips’ constituency office, while shouting “is this the fascist party offices?”

Michael Roby was charged £40 after he became angry and banged on the shut door with his fist.

He shouted “Why are you blocking democracy?” during the incident on 26 September.

The front door of the office, in Acocks Green, was also kicked with force, though Birmingham Magistrates Court heard no damage was caused to it.

Ms Phillips’ office staff called the police at 2.30pm and said a man outside was “calling everyone fascists”. The 36-year-old was arrested shortly afterwards.

Roby told police officers he was annoyed with the Labour MP’s political views and became angry.

His lawyer claimed the Birmingham resident had lost his job and suffered from depression and anxiety.

He went to the office to speak to Ms Phillips, feeling he had no support around him.

Roby pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was fined £40 for using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

He was also ordered to pay £135 in court costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

“This offence can only be dealt with by way of a fine,” Susan Powers, the chair, said.

“Had you not pleaded guilty today, your fine would have been £60.”

Roby emerged from court and shouted at reporters.

“I have stood up for democracy. Look what happened to me. I got sent to court,” he said.

The 36-year-old also referred to the 51 per cent of Brexit voters and described himself as working class.

Ms Phillips was not in the office at the time of the offence. She has said the incident left her “jumpy and worried”, following unrelated death threats.

Additional reporting by agencies