By Eric King-
An alleged National Action member accused of plotting to murder MP Rosie Cooper is being tried in court for preparing acts of terrorism. 23 year old Jack Renshaw, of Skelmersdale, Lancashire, allegedly bought a Gladius Machete to kill Ms Cooper between June 5 and July 3 last year.He is charged with both preparing acts of terrorism as well as making a threat to kill another woman named as Victoria Henderson.Christopher Lythgoe, 32, from Warrington, is also charged with giving Renshaw permission to murder the West Lancashire MP on behalf of National Action on July 1 last year.
The pair – along with Garron Helm, 24, of Seaforth, Merseyside, Matthew Hankinson, 24, of Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, Andrew Clarke, 33, and Michael Trubini, 35, both of Warrington – are also charged with membership of the banned far right group.On Monday, a dozen men and woman were sworn in at the Old Bailey to try the case, which is due to go on for five weeks. Judge Mr Justice Jay sent them home until Tuesday with the warning: “The absolute rule in these courts is no research on the internet.”
Justice Jay told jurors that the prosecutor Duncan Atkinson QC would outline the case on Tuesday morning. Threats to kill anybody is a serious offence, but when levied against an Mp, it becomes particularly disturbing whether there is a political purpose. The case is expected to be quite dramatic, with several pieces of alleged evidence presented to the court to prove an evil plot to murder the MP