A court has heard a 22-year-old man charged with the intention of committing acts of terrorism purchased a "gladius machete" in order to murder the Labour MP for Lancashire West, Rosie Cooper.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also charged with making threats to kill a female police officer.

He and five other men, aged between 22 and 35, are accused of belonging to proscribed neo-Nazi group National Action, which was banned under terror laws in December 2016.

The others facing charges are 24-year-old Garron Helm, 23-year-old Matthew Hankinson, 33-year-old Andrew Clarke, 31-year-old Christopher Lythgoe and 35-year-old Michal Trubini.

Image: Rosie Cooper - Labour MP for West Lancashire

Lythgoe is also charged with encouragement to commit murder by giving permission to the 22-year-old to murder Rosie Cooper.


All the men confirmed their names and addresses during a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Bail applications for Garron Helm and Christopher Lythgoe were denied.

The six men will appear at the Old Bailey on Friday 3 November.