The chair of the Respect Party in Tower Hamlets has appeared in court charged with using threatening or abusive language.

Carole Swords, of Grenville House, Arbery Road, in Bow, appeared at Westminsiter Magistrates Court yesterday accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behavior. The alleged incident happened at a Tesco store in Bedford Street in London’s Covent Garden on August 13.

Ms Swords denies the charges and the case was sent for trail at City of London Magistrates Court on November 3.