Success for CAA and LBC as Labour activist sentenced over “grossly offensive” message, but CPS fails to pursue charges against other activists in dossier

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has secured a conviction against only one Labour Party activist in a dossier publicised by LBC and referred to the Metropolitan Police by Campaign Against Antisemitism.

The dossier contained some 45 cases of antisemitism in it, with seventeen cases displaying “race-hate incidents” which should have been reported to the police, according to an expert. But Mohsin Rasool was the only activist prosecuted.

Mr Rasool was charged with sending on 26th February 2020 by means of a public electronic communications network a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character, contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003.

The first court hearing was on 25th March 2020 and the defendant was granted unconditional bail in absence to 4th May 2020. On that day, the defendant was again granted unconditional bail to 8th June 2020.

A Not Guilty Plea was recorded on 4th May 2020. This was changed to Guilty on 8th June 2020 and the defendant was sentenced to an England and Wales Community Order.

The conditions of the order included a nine-week curfew requirement. He was also ordered to pay the Victim Surcharge of £60 and costs of £150 to the CPS.