A man has denied sending an offensive email to Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, David Perry pleaded not guilty to two charges under the Communications Act.

One alleges the message was “grossly offensive” and the other that it was “indecent, obscene or menacing”.

The 66-year-old defendant from Weybridge in Surrey was charged last month by Greater Manchester Police for allegedly sending the email to the Ashton-under-Lyne MP.

The court heard he will say he did not send the email after telling police his computer might have been hacked.

Perry has been granted unconditional bail ahead of his trial at the same court on 16 November.