A 38-year-old Wellingborough man has been charged with harassing the local Member of Parliament, Gen Kitchen. Northamptonshire Police confirmed that Matthew Gorton, of Paling Close, was charged following his arrest on 15 May 2026 for allegedly sending malicious communications to the representative.
Gorton appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on 18 May 2026 to face the harassment charge, which alleges his actions put the victim in fear of violence. In addition to this charge, he faces three further counts: two counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and one count of possession of cannabis, which is a Class B drug.
Following his court appearance, Gorton was remanded in custody. He is expected to appear at Northampton Crown Court on 29 June 2026.
Gen Kitchen has served as the Labour MP for Wellingborough and Rushden since February 2024. She was recently appointed as a Government Whip on 12 May 2026.
The incident occurs amidst a nationwide increase in reports of abuse directed at elected officials. According to Security Minister Dan Jarvis, the volume of threats against representatives has reached unprecedented levels. Data indicates that reported crimes against Members of Parliament rose to 976 in 2025, more than double the 364 incidents recorded in 2019.
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