A NORTH-EAST MP was forced to ramp up security at his constituency office after receiving a "racist and threatening" answerphone message.

Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson was targeted by 40-year-old Clive David Cooper who made the drunken phone call to the public answerphone service which was later picked up by the office manager.

In the message the defendant, of Lowson Street, in Darlington, branded the Labour MP a "cheater" and said: "Why will you not stick up for the people of the North-East. You will let the Muslims take over.

"Carry on and you will let the Muslims take over, the same as you and your compatriots. You will be taken out."

The Northern Echo: Phil Wilson
MP Phil Wilson has ramped up security at his constituency office

On Monday, Prosecutor John Harley told Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court the officer manager recognised the voice as the defendant's and reported it to police.

In a victim impact statement, the office manager said he was shocked and distressed by the message left on September 26 last year.

The incident triggered significant security measures being taken at the constituency office, in Newton Aycliffe town centre, including the introduction of panic alarms and CCTV, while its front windows were blacked out.

Cooper, who received a suspended sentence for the same offence in 2013, initially denied the charge but changed his plea to guilty.

A probation officer said the defendant, who once stood against Mr Wilson in an election and lost, had mental health issues and a problem with alcohol.

He added Cooper claimed he was "friends with Muslims", was "adamant" he was not a racist and accepted what he said was wrong.

The court heard he was being treated for alcoholism which had left him with chronic pancreatitis.

District Judge Martin Walker said: "We are in sensitive times and this society cannot and will not stand for any form of bigotry whether it is directed towards creed, race or sexual orientation."

Cooper was given a community order for 12 months with the requirement to carry out rehabilitation days and was ordered to pay compensation of £250 to Mr Wilson's office manager.

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mr Wilson said: "The most important issue for me is the security of my staff in the office.

"Under the circumstances I will continue to review safety, especially after the Jo Cox tragedy."

Mr Wilson added although the open-door policy of MPs had been threatened in the wake of the death of Labour MP Mrs Cox, he said it would not stop him meeting with constituents.