Kieran Kyle jailed for threats to Kemi Badenoch

Kieran Kyle was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 9 after pleading guilty to two counts of sending indecent or offensive communications involving racist messages and threats to Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and her husband, Hamish.

The court also imposed a five-year restraining order barring Kyle from contacting Badenoch, her husband or her parliamentary office. Kyle, 43, is from Gillingham, Kent, and was a former secondary school teacher.

Prosecutors said Kyle sent emails to the couple in late April and early May 2026. The court heard that one message to Hamish Badenoch used a racist slur, described his wife as having a “big mouth” and told him to put a leash on her. Other messages to Kemi Badenoch included racist references and threats of violence, including a statement that Kyle would have shot her dead.

The messages were sent around the time Badenoch apologised for footage from Bloody Sunday being mistakenly used in a social media video criticising a parliamentary bill on legacy issues in Northern Ireland. The court heard that Kyle referred to Bloody Sunday in his emails and claimed to have been in the IRA. His defence...