Labour MP Liam Byrne recounted a recent incident in which he feared for his safety after being confronted aggressively by a constituent during an outdoor surgery. Byrne told Walsall magistrates that Kevin Sullivan, a 52-year-old scaffolder, had become angry over a nearby parked vehicle and proceeded to overturn a gazebo set up for the event in the Hodge Hill and Solihull North constituency.

Sullivan directed hostile remarks toward Byrne, including racialized language and comments about mosques and so-called "grooming gangs," according to the MP. Byrne said he feared an escalation of violence, reflecting on the experiences of his late colleagues Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, both of whom were killed while holding constituency surgeries, as well as Stephen Timms, who survived a stabbing. Byrne described feeling "deeply shaken" by the encounter and noted that the security arrangements at his surgeries have since been increased to include two security officers.

At the hearing, the court heard that Sullivan had initially become upset about the manner in which a Range Rover was parked near the surgery location and claimed the Labour Party's gazebo had been "negligently" left unsecured. When Byrne confronted Sullivan about his behavior, Sullivan said the MP had responded aggressively, questioning his right to act in public as he did.

Sullivan was found guilty of using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior intended to cause harassment, alarm, or distress. The defendant was granted bail and is expected to appear for sentencing on November 26.