The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on Friday accused Conservative MP Bob Stewart of racially abusing Bahraini activists outside a Bahraini government-sponsored event in December 2022, following a one-day trial at Westminster Magistrates Court. announced that he had been found guilty. Mr Stewart told Saeed Ahmed al-Wadei to “go back to Bahrain” and accused him of taking money from Britain.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring fined Stewart £600 but did not impose a prison term. The CPS said Mr Stewart’s fine would have been just £400, but said his alleged use of racist language had been misunderstood and amounted to a serious hate crime. He must also pay court costs of £835.
Prosecutor Paul Jarvis told the court Mr Arwaday was “upset and humiliated” by Mr Stewart’s comments, the BBC reported. Stewart’s lawyer, Paul Cabin KC, argued that Arwaday had no “right” to confront Stewart in public and said he expected a response from “the House.” Cavin argued that any animosity was in response to Arwaday’s actions toward Stewart. Bob Stewart has repeatedly said that he is not a racist and that he made the comments because his “honor is at risk” after being accused of corruption and theft by Arwaday.
Following the guilty verdict, opposition parties, including Labor and the Liberal Democrats, called for Bob Stewart to be removed as Conservative whip.Anneliese Dodds Labor Party Chair tweeted It said Mr Stewart’s behavior was “completely unacceptable” and the whip should be removed immediately. Once the whip is removed, Mr Stewart will have to sit as an independent MP. The Conservative Party and Bob Stewart have not yet commented on the conviction.