Mordaunt 'feared sexual violence' from alleged stalker, court told

DAME Penny Mordaunt has told a court that the actions of a man accused of stalking her were more concerning than “threats to shoot her and her family” and she feared “sexual violence”.

- BEN MITCHELL

Edward Brandt, 61, of Freshwater, Isle of Wight, is accused of one charge of stalking intending serious alarm or distress against the former MP for Portsmouth North between September 11, 2023, and May 12, 2024.

The jury at Southampton Crown Court has heard that Brandt sent multiple emails and phone messages to Dame Penny and also turned up at her Portsmouth office.

The trial was told that in her witness statement to police, Dame Penny was concerned that Brandt's references to wanting a “personal relationship” with her caused her to fear sexual violence.

Her voice breaking with emotion, she told the court: “I believe his motivations for pursuing me are not that he wanted to have a conversation about flat tax. I do think they do point to that he is talking about meeting me socially, he is not asking for a surgery appointment.”