The alleged leader of the group National Action will face court accused of encouraging the murder of Ms Cooper, above

Two alleged members of a banned far-right group were charged yesterday in connection with a plot to murder a Labour MP.

Christopher Lythgoe, 31, the alleged leader of the neo-Nazi group National Action, will face court today accused of encouraging the murder of Rosie Cooper, the MP for West Lancashire. A 22-year-old man, who cannot be named, has been charged with the intention of committing acts of terrorism and threats to kill, Greater Manchester police said.

Prosecutors will allege that the younger man sought and received permission from Mr Lythgoe to carry out an attack, The Times understands. The pair have also been charged with belonging to a proscribed organisation along with four other men.

Amber Rudd, the home secretary, described National Action as a