The video will start in 8 Cancel

What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A Brexit supporter who egged Jeremy Corbyn while yelling "respect the vote" has been jailed for 28 days.

John Murphy, 31, smacked the Labour leader with an egg after he visited a mosque in his Islington North constituency.

Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot sentenced Murphy, of Whetstone, in Barnet, north-west London, to 28 days' imprisonment.

She told Westminster Magistrates' Court: "An attack like this is an attack on our democratic process."

Mr Corbyn was "shocked and surprised" by the attack, which has prompted his team to work on increasing his security, Westminster Magistrates' Court heard on Monday.

(Image: Getty Images)

Prosecutor Kevin Christie said Mr Corbyn was with Labour shadow home secretary Diane Abbott at the Muslim Welfare Centre in north London after visiting the Finsbury Park Mosque on March 3.

Mr Corbyn took off his shoes and sat down next to his wife Laura Alvarez and a group of people who seemed to be "in great spirits".

"Suddenly, he felt a strike to the right side of his forehead and then realised someone had reached over his right shoulder and struck him," Mr Christie said.

"As he was struck he heard a male voice shouting: 'Respect the vote."'

Mr Corbyn had left the room to wash himself when he realised he had been struck by an egg.

Murphy continued to shout "respect the vote" while being restrained by staff.

(Image: PA)

Mr Corbyn, who was largely uninjured but left with a red mark, noted Murphy's face was "contorted" with rage and he appeared "very aggressive".

In a victim impact statement read to court, the Labour leader said: "I was shocked and surprised when the assault occurred as I have always felt safe and secure at the Muslim Welfare House.

"The assault was completely unprovoked and threatening.

"Whilst I'm determined to make sure I'm able to interact with people as I always have, I now have to be more cautious.

Murphy's solicitor Malik Aldeiri, in mitigation, blamed his client's "frustration and anger borne out of the political situation we find ourselves in".

"He felt he was making a statement. He believes his civil rights were violated and this was a demonstration by him against what he says is a failure by Parliament to adhere to his democratic vote," his lawyer added.

There were gasps from Murphy's supporters in the public gallery as he was led to the cells.

Remain-supporting politicians have spoken about heightened tensions turning into abuse and violence, with independent MP Anna Soubry saying she has been targeted by "very, very serious" death threats.

(Image: MDM)

Labour's Lloyd Russell-Moyle said a man shouting "traitors" grappled with him and grabbed his glasses on the streets of Brighton in an attempted assault.

Prime Minister Theresa May has faced heavy criticism from MPs, who accused her of whipping up tensions and putting them at risk of physical attack after she blamed them for delaying Brexit in a Downing Street speech.

The attack on Corbyn came about a week after the party announced it would support a second referendum.