Newly-elected Labour MP Claudia Webbe claims she is 'innocent of any wrongdoing' and vows to 'vigorously' defend herself after being charged with harassing a woman for almost two years

Claudia Webbe, Labour MP for Leicester East, is pictured in London last November

Labour MP Claudia Webbe today insisted she was 'innocent of any wrongdoing' after being charged with harassing a woman over a period of nearly two years.

The MP for Leicester East, who is accused of carrying out the offence between September 2018 and April 26 this year, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on November 11.

But Webbe said today: 'I am innocent of any wrongdoing and look forward to proving this in court. I will be vigorously defending myself against these claims.'

The 55-year-old Leicester-born politician has represented her constituency since being elected in December 2019. 

Webbe was charged after the Metropolitan Police passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, but no further details are known about the alleged offence.

Jenny Hopkins from the CPS said: 'The CPS has today decided that Claudia Webbe, MP for Leicester East, should be charged with an offence of harassment against one female.

Leicester East MP Claudia Webbe is pictured with former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn

'The CPS made the decision after receiving a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police. Criminal proceedings against Ms Webbe are now active and she has the right to a fair trial. 

'It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.' 

Webbe hit the headlines in July when she threw her mobile phone to the floor of the House of Commons in frustration after it started ringing while she was speaking.

The De Montfort University graduate was elected on December last year with a majority of 6,019, or 12.2 per cent. She was preceded in the seat by Keith Vaz.