A protester has admitted harassment after calling the MP Anna Soubry a Nazi outside the Houses of Parliament.

James Goddard, 30, filmed himself hurling abuse at the Remain-supporting politician after claiming she was a "traitor" for opposing the country's vote to leave the EU in 2016.

Goddard admitted one charge of intent to cause Ms Soubry harassment, alarm or distress, using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The protester and fellow defendant Brian Phillips, who pleaded guilty to the same charge, were released on bail ahead of sentencing on Monday.

Goddard also admitted one racially aggravated public order offence towards a police officer.


Paul Jarvis, prosecuting, described how Ms Soubry was "very shaken by what happened".

The MP, now the leader of the The Independent Group for Change after defecting from the Tories in February, was giving a television interview on 7 January when shouts of "Soubry is a Nazi" could be heard in the background.

She was then surrounded by Goddard, Phillips and others as she made her way towards the Houses of Parliament.

Video footage showing the incident was played in court.

Mr Jarvis said: "She found being described as a Nazi deeply offensive.

"It left her feeling angry."

Goddard is seen walking alongside Anna Soubry in January

Ms Soubry was not in court for Friday's hearing, but parts of her victim impact statement were read out in court.

The MP said: "I was really intimidated, and I was very shaken by what happened, however I couldn't show it on camera.

"I have developed a mechanism for cutting off large parts of my emotions.

"I was disorientated, I felt intimidated and harassed."

The court heard Ms Soubry "absolutely supports" free speech, including those who disagree with her.

Footage played to the court, including of another incident from December 2018 which was used as background material for the main charge, showed Goddard wearing a hi-vis vest as her asked Ms Soubry why she called for a second vote on Brexit.

He told her the way the she treated then-Conservative colleague Jacob Rees-Mogg was "an utter disgrace", and described her as both a traitor and a Nazi.

Image: Brian Phillips also pleaded guilty at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday

Goddard, who gesticulated throughout the case, stood up to address chief magistrate Emma Arbuthnot as the hearing concluded.

He told her he had suffered due to the actions of Ms Soubry, adding he had not been violent or thrown a milkshake like other protesters.

Goddard added that he had also lost access to his daughter.

He was told he would have a proper chance to address the magistrates ahead of sentencing on Monday.

Goddard had earlier refused to give his address in open court due to the presence of journalists.

Ms Arbuthnot subsequently read it into the record as Kelvindale Drive, Timperley, Altrincham, much to Goddard's clear frustration.

Phillips, 55, of Dale View, Erith, Kent, suffered from mental health issues, his counsel Beth O'Reilly said.

Goddard was initially charged with harassment without violence against Ms Soubry, using threatening or abusive words or behaviour, and racially or religiously aggravated harassment.

But new charges were put to the defendants after several hours' legal argument with prosecutors.

Ms Soubry was not called to give evidence in court but was believed to be in the building during the hearing.