A man who sent death threats and racist abuse to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, claiming he would have shot her dead during his time in the IRA, has been warned he faces a potential prison sentence.
Kieran Kyle, 43, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, where he admitted two counts of sending indecent or offensive communications. The court heard that Kyle, a resident of Gillingham in Kent, targeted both the Opposition leader and her husband, Hamish Badenoch, in a series of emails sent earlier this year.
Prosecutor Jennifer Dannhauser detailed the nature of the messages, which were sent on 2 May 2026. In one email addressed to Mrs Badenoch, Kyle wrote: “When I was in the IRA I would have shot you f dead.”
The court was told that the defendant also made specific threats regarding the Conservative leader’s safety in Northern Ireland, warning that if she travelled to Belfast, she would be “left face down in a ditch with a bullet in her head.”
Racist abuse and threats to family
In addition to the direct threats against Mrs Badenoch, the prosecution described an email sent to her husband, Hamish. The message utilised a racist slur and told Mr Badenoch he should “put a leash” on his wife.
The timing of the abuse coincided with a public apology issued by Mrs Badenoch on the same day the emails were sent. The apology related to a Conservative Party social media video which had mistakenly included footage of the 1972 Bloody Sunday killings in Derry.
While the defendant claimed in his correspondence to have links to the Provisional IRA, no evidence has been produced in court to verify this claim.
“Real option” of a prison sentence
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Kyle that the seriousness of the offences meant that a custodial sentence remained a “real option.” According to IRN – Independent News Radio, the magistrate indicated that all sentencing options would be considered once reports had been prepared.
The case has been adjourned to allow for the preparation of these pre-sentence reports.
Neither the Conservative Party nor Kemi Badenoch’s office has released a formal statement following the guilty plea. The final sentencing date is expected to be set following the completion of the reports.
