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Benjamin Clarke, 31, bombarded Sam Rushworth with abuse online before threatening to burn the Bishop Auckland MP's house down with the Labour politician inside, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Clarke, of Durham Street in Bishop Auckland, escalated to threats, telling Mr Rushworth: "I can't wait until your next public appearance, you'll be lucky to leave in one piece."

"From Felixstowe to Falkirk and from Bishop Auckland to Barnstable, up and down this country and across the world, the reaction of all right-thinking people to the senseless felling of the Sycamore Gap tree has been one of sadness and anger," Mr Wright said.

But Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland, said despite the idea not being government policy his ambition to see universal free school meals "hasn't changed".

The skeleton of the full-term child was discovered with twine around its neck at a house in Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, last month.