A man accused of stalking Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and his family over a four-month period has been remanded in custody after appearing in court.
Inigo Rowland allegedly turned up at the MP’s south-west London address unannounced and on numerous occasions between June and October this year, court documents reveal.
The 58-year-old from Surbiton has also been charged with possession of a flick knife following his arrest on Monday, 6 October.
Rowland appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 October, where magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of his next appearance at the same court on Tuesday, 14 October.
Family Safety Paramount
Sir Ed, the MP for Kingston and Surbiton, lives with his wife Emily and their two children in the constituency he has represented since 2017.
The couple have a 17-year-old son, John, who has a neurological condition and severe learning difficulties, and a daughter named Ellie.
The allegations have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of high-profile politicians and their families, particularly when vulnerable children are involved.
A Liberal Democrats spokesperson said the party cannot provide any details at this time, adding that Ed’s number one priority is the safety of his family.
Arrest Kept Secret for Days
The arrest was made on Monday last week but was only made public on Sunday when details emerged in court documents.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed Rowland appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 7 October and was remanded into custody.
The spokesman added that Rowland will next appear at the same court on Tuesday, 14 October, and that he was arrested on Monday, 6 October in relation to the offences, which are alleged to have taken place between June and October.
The offences allegedly occurred over a sustained period of four months, with Rowland said to have repeatedly visited the family home without invitation or permission.
Veteran MP’s Long Career
Sir Ed Davey, 59, first won the Kingston and Surbiton constituency in 1997 during Tony Blair’s Labour landslide victory.
He lost his seat in 2015 during the Liberal Democrats’ catastrophic general election performance following their time in coalition government with the Conservatives.
The experienced politician regained his seat in 2017 and was elected leader of the Liberal Democrats in 2020, taking over from Jo Swinson who lost her seat in the 2019 general election.
Under his leadership, the Liberal Democrats have sought to rebuild their electoral fortunes, positioning themselves as a centrist alternative to both Labour and the Conservatives.
Sir Ed has been particularly vocal on issues relating to carers and disability rights, often drawing on his personal experience caring for his severely disabled son.
Serious Charges
The stalking charge carries significant penalties if proven, with courts taking such offences extremely seriously, particularly when they involve repeated unwanted contact and intrusion into someone’s private life.
The additional charge of possession of a flick knife is also a serious matter, as such weapons are classified as offensive weapons under UK law and their possession in public is illegal.
Flick knives, also known as switchblades, are banned under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1959.
Possession of such a weapon can result in up to four years imprisonment, though sentences vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
Rising Concerns Over MP Security
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the security of Members of Parliament and their families, an issue that has been in sharp focus since the murders of MPs Jo Cox in 2016 and Sir David Amess in 2021.
Security measures for MPs have been significantly enhanced in recent years, with increased funding for protective measures at both their Westminster offices and constituency homes.
Many MPs have expressed concerns about the increasingly threatening behaviour they face, both online and in person, with some reporting receiving death threats and harassment on a regular basis.
The Crown Prosecution Service takes such cases extremely seriously, recognising the potential chilling effect that harassment and intimidation can have on democratic participation.
Rowland remains in custody ahead of his next court appearance this week, where further details of the allegations are expected to be outlined.
The case will proceed through the magistrates’ court system, with the possibility of being referred to the Crown Court if the charges are deemed too serious for magistrates to handle.
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Image Credit:
Rt Hon Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change — licensed under CC BY 2.0(commons.wikimedia.org)
