Man who harassed MP for being 'English' and took axe to pub given suspended sentence

Michael Glover left threatening note at Henry Tufnell's office and brandished axe in public; judge cites mental health issues

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A man who harassed Labour MP Henry Tufnell for being English and carried an axe to a pub has been given a suspended prison sentence. Michael Glover, 59, left a note at the MP's office in Haverfordwest claiming he knew where Tufnell lived with his wife and newborn baby, and the following day brandished an axe in a local pub. Swansea Crown Court heard the defendant had 'complex mental health difficulties' and was frustrated over a delay in his blue badge application.

Michael Glover, 59, left a signed note taped to the door of Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell's office on 10 March, telling him he had 'taken a look around' the MP's family home and left 'some presents'. CCTV showed Glover taping a bag containing the letter to the door and making gestures to the camera before driving away.

The following day, Glover carried an axe in a plastic bag to a local pub and picked it up in front of a member of the public. He was arrested that day and later pleaded guilty to both charges.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Tufnell said the incident made him feel 'uncomfortable'. 'Knowing that Glover knows where I live with my wife and young child has made me rethink things, such as the security of my address,' the MP said. He added that he felt 'on edge' wondering if his family were safe when he worked away.

Glover, who is a wheelchair user, appeared via video link from the cells due to a 'technical issue' with the court's lift. His barrister, Joseph Hocquard, said his client had been in custody for the past four months for breaching a probation order, which had been 'incredibly challenging' due to his mental health and disabilities.

Judge Mark Powell KC told Glover that members of parliament 'are entitled to go about their business, without being subject to the sort of threats and harassment that you carried out, regardless of if they are English or not English.' The judge noted that brandishing an axe in public would have been 'extremely frightening' but accepted Glover did not intend to harm anyone and was motivated by frustration and a deterioration in his mental state.

The judge gave Glover a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, along with a five-year restraining order and a victim surcharge of £154.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The case highlights the ongoing risk of intimidation and harassment faced by MPs, particularly those in marginal or rural constituencies.
The judge's focus on mental health support rather than immediate custody reflects the complexity of balancing public safety with the defendant's welfare.
It raises questions about the adequacy of MP security measures, especially for those with young families.

Background

Threats and harassment against MPs in the UK have been a growing concern in recent years, leading to increased security spending and changes to police protection arrangements. The murder of MP Sir David Amess in 2021 prompted a review of MPs' safety. In this case, the defendant's actions were linked to frustration over a delayed blue badge application for disabled parking, rather than political ideology.

Key Perspectives

MP Henry Tufnell: The Labour MP reported feeling 'uneasy' and altering his behaviour to check panic alarms and CCTV, worried about his family's safety when away from home. Defendant's legal team: Joseph Hocquard emphasised that Glover has complex mental health difficulties and found custody 'incredibly challenging', arguing for a community-based sentence. Judge Mark Powell KC: Balanced the seriousness of the threats against Glover's demonstrated remorse and need for medical support, imposing a suspended sentence and restraining order rather than immediate imprisonment.

What to Watch

Whether the five-year restraining order is effective in preventing further contact with the MP.
Any broader review of MP security protocols, particularly in Pembrokeshire and other semi-rural areas.
The defendant's compliance with mental health treatment and the probation service's ability to provide support.

Sources

MP harassed for 'being English' by man who took axe to pub · BBC News
MP harassed for 'being English' by man who took axe to pub · BBC Wales

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

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SupportedGlover harassed MP Henry Tufnell for being English.BBC News: “A man who harassed a Labour MP for being "English", and claimed he knew where he lived, has been given a suspended jail sentence.”
SupportedGlover took an axe to a pub.BBC News: “On 11 March, he carried an axe in a plastic bag to a local pub, and picked it up in front of a member of the public.”
SupportedGlover was given a suspended prison sentence.BBC News: “Judge Powell gave him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, as well as a five-year restraining order.”
SupportedGlover left a note at Tufnell's office claiming he knew where Tufnell lived with his wife and newborn baby.BBC News: “In the letter, which he signed, he also wrote that he had taken "a look around" Tufnell's family home and had "left some presents". The MP said he felt "uneasy" that the defendant said he knew where he lived with his family, including his newborn baby.”
SupportedGlover left the note on 10 March and took the axe to the pub the following day.BBC News: “Michael Glover, 59, left a note on Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell's office door in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on 10 March, and carried an axe to the pub the following day.”
SupportedThe court heard Glover had complex mental health difficulties and was frustrated by a delay in his blue badge application.BBC News: “Swansea Crown Court heard Glover, who is a wheelchair user and has "complex mental health difficulties", was "frustrated" because of a delay in his application for a blue badge.”
SupportedCCTV showed Glover taping a bag containing the letter to the office door, gesturing to the camera and driving away.BBC News: “The court heard that CCTV captured the defendant taping a bag, which contained the letter, to the front door of Tufnell's office. He then made "gestures" to the camera before driving away.”
SupportedGlover was arrested on 11 March and later pleaded guilty to both charges.BBC News: “Glover was arrested that day, and later pleaded guilty to both charges at the magistrates' court.”
SupportedTufnell said the incident made him feel uncomfortable and that knowing Glover knew where he lived made him rethink the security of his address.BBC News: “Regan Walters, prosecuting, read a victim personal statement by Tufnell, who said the incident made him feel "uncomfortable". "Knowing that Glover knows where I live with my wife and young child has made me rethink things, such as the security of my address," the politician said.”
Partly supportedThe judge said MPs are entitled to go about their business without threats and harassment, regardless of whether they are English.BBC News: “He said: "They are entitled to go about their business, without being subject to the sort of threats and harassment that you carried out… regardless of if they are English or not English."”
SupportedThe judge said Glover did not intend to harm anyone and that frustration and a deterioration in his mental state led to the offence.BBC News: “He also said that brandishing an axe in public would have been "extremely frightening for those around" but that he "didn't intend to harm anyone". The judge told the court that it was "frustration" and a "deterioration in his mental state" that led to Glover committing the offence.”
SupportedGlover received a five-year restraining order and was ordered to pay a £154 victim surcharge.BBC News: “Judge Powell gave him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, as well as a five-year restraining order. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £154.”