A Tory MP from Beckenham has been charged with two public order offences.

Bob Stewart is accused of verbally abusing a man in Belgravia, London, on December 14, 2022.

The 73-year-old has been charged with “using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour.”

The alleged offence is believed to have been "racially aggravated" and involved him "using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress".

He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court in July.

It comes after police received an online report on December 18, 2022, from a man alleging he had been verbally racially abused.

Following an investigation by officers in Westminster, a file was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the charges above. 

A spokesperson for Metropolitan Police said: “A man has been charged with two public order offences.

“Robert Alexander Stewart, 73 (07.07.49), a Member of Parliament, of Beckenham, Bromley, was charged by postal requisition on Monday, 5 June with:

“Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour and the offence was racially aggravated. (Contrary to section 31 (1) (c) and (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.)

“Using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. (Contrary to section 5 (1) and (6) of the Public Order Act 1986.)

“Both offences are alleged to have occurred on Wednesday, 14 December 2022 in Belgravia, London, SW1.

“Stewart will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 5 July.

“On Sunday, 18 December, 2022, police received an online report from a man alleging he had been verbally racially abused.

"The allegation relates to an incident in Belgravia, London, SW1, on Wednesday, 14 December 2022.

“Following an investigation by officers in Westminster a file was submitted the Crown Prosecution Service, which authorised the above charges.

“The second offence is an alternative charge to allow the court discretion on the racial element - it relates to the same incident rather than a separate charge on its own.”