Tracey Smith, 58, has been sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for harassing Ellie Reeves, the solicitor general and Labour MP for Lewisham West and East Dulwich. The conviction came after Smith sent 22 emails and 10 voicemails to the MP, using threatening language and making false accusations against Reeves and her sister, Chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that Smith, a trans woman, accused Reeves of being “transphobic” and claimed Rachel Reeves had physically assaulted her at a buffet bar. Smith used phrases including “a person is dangerous when they have nothing to lose” and “bullets will be flying around”. She also called the MP a “fascist” and accused her of “legalising sexual abuse”.
District Judge Michael Snow described Smith’s actions as “a direct attack upon democracy”, stating they were intended to cause “maximum fear and distress”. He noted that Smith continued her campaign even after being told to stop, causing Reeves significant anxiety and forcing her to change her lifestyle, including engaging a special protection officer and avoiding walking or using public transport in her constituency.
The court was told that Smith had persuaded a county court to issue a witness summons to Reeves, which the MP avoided only with the help of lawyers for the Speaker of the House of Commons. Between July and October 2024, Smith sent emails and left voicemails, with one message telling Reeves that “time is running out” for her to respond.
In addition to the prison sentence, Smith was ordered to pay £650 in costs and made subject to an unlimited restraining order. Judge Snow remarked that Smith’s language was “inflammatory, which was threatening and which continued even after you were told in no uncertain terms to desist”.
