Man found guilty of harassing MP Stella Creasy on Tube train
An “abusive and aggressive” man has been found guilty of harassing MP Stella Creasy after he blocked her from leaving a Tube train, reports BritPanorama.
Clifford Wilby, aged 63 of east London, encountered the Labour MP for Walthamstow on 15 July last year while aboard a Victoria Line train between Walthamstow Central and Finsbury Park railway station, as detailed in Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
Wilby obstructed Ms Creasy’s exit from the Tube carriage and began discussing his concerns about knife crime and her “failings as a Member of Parliament.” He subsequently filmed her until other passengers intervened, according to court testimony.
Witnesses on the train reportedly urged him to stop and physically positioned themselves between Ms Creasy and Wilby, allowing her to exit the carriage.
Wilby and Ms Creasy had previously met during a Zoom meeting in 2024 related to her parliamentary work, which was terminated due to Wilby’s conduct, stated Sarah Madden, prosecuting.
During her testimony from behind a screen, Ms Creasy recounted how Wilby made “a series of very serious allegations” online before becoming abusive and referencing his diagnosis as a psychopath.
Upon entering the Victoria Line train, Ms Creasy intended to move further down at the next stop when she made eye contact with Wilby, who identified himself after asking if she was indeed Stella Creasy.
“He stood up and blocked my ability to leave the carriage,” she said, describing how he began shouting about crime and her performance as an MP amidst the noise of the Tube.
Concerned for her safety in the confined space, Ms Creasy noted, “He was very close,” and expressed her discomfort with the subject of their conversation.
She also recounted how passengers began to intervene, with one man attempting to separate them after hearing her repeatedly request that he stop.
As tensions escalated, Ms Creasy described Wilby as “much taller” and looming over her while filming, which further increased her anxiety about the situation escalating towards other passengers.
A woman nearby also told Wilby to cease his harassment and encouraged Ms Creasy to seek safety by sitting with her. Ms Creasy eventually exited the train through a different door, crediting the interveners for distracting Wilby long enough for her to escape.
Deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram found Wilby guilty of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to elicit harassment, alarm, or distress, and deferred sentencing until September 8 for reports.
Ikram remarked on Wilby’s lack of intent to stop his actions despite Ms Creasy’s clear requests and recognised the urgent concern from bystanders who intervened, stating, “His actions clearly were such that were not only causing alarm to Stella Creasy but his actions also demonstrated clearly that was his intent.”
The case underscores ongoing issues of safety and harassment faced by public figures, especially women, in political roles.
