A 28-year-old man has been charged with arson after Labour MP Sharon Hodgson’s constituency office was devastated by a fire.
Joshua Oliver has been charged after a major fire at the MPs office in Concord, Washington, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
Shocking aerial images previously showed the extent of the damage caused to the Washington and Gateshead South MP’s office, with its roof almost entirely destroyed.
It was previously reported that ‘328 days blood on your hands’ was scrawled on the wall during the attack.
However the message had been sprayed on the premises many months before the incident occurred overnight this week.
Mr Oliver is scheduled to appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on September 13.
Christopher Atkinson of the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Joshua Oliver with Arson following a police investigation into a fire at the offices of Sharon Hodgson MP.
Joshua Oliver has been charged with arson after a major fire at the MPs office in Concord, Washington, the Crown Prosecution Service said
Pictured: Ms Hodgson is MP for Washington and Gateshead South
There was a significant police and fire brigade presence at the site as investigations took place
Shocking aerial images previously showed the extent of the damage caused to the Washington and Gateshead South MP’s office, with its roof almost entirely destroyed
‘Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring the case to trial and that it is in the public interest to pursue criminal proceedings.
‘We have worked closely with Northumbria Police as they carried out their investigation.’
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for Ms Hodgson said: ‘An incident occurred overnight at Sharon’s office.
‘We will not be commenting or speculating while there is an ongoing police investigation, what we are clear on is there is no place for this kind of violence in our society.
‘Sharon will not be deterred and will continue to support her constituents in Washington and Gateshead South as she does day in, day out.
‘Constituents should get in touch with their issues by emailing in the usual way.’
