Europe

Police arrest man over threats to UK Brexit lawsuit claimant

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Gina Miller who won a High Court ruling forcing the British government to seek Parliamentary approval before leaving the European Union, arrives at The Supreme Court in London, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. May's government will ask Supreme Court justices to overturn a ruling that Parliament must hold a vote before Britain's exit negotiations can begin _ a case that has raised a constitutional quandary and inflamed the country's heated debate about Brexit. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) (The Associated Press)

Gina Miller who won a High Court ruling forcing the British government to seek Parliamentary approval before leaving the European Union, arrives at The Supreme Court in London, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. May's government will ask Supreme Court justices to overturn a ruling that Parliament must hold a vote before Britain's exit negotiations can begin _ a case that has raised a constitutional quandary and inflamed the country's heated debate about Brexit. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

Police forces separate demonstrators in front of the Supreme Court in London, Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. May's government will ask Supreme Court justices to overturn a ruling that Parliament must hold a vote before Britain's exit negotiations can begin _ a case that has raised a constitutional quandary and inflamed the country's heated debate about Brexit.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein) (The Associated Press)

British police have arrested a man on suspicion of sending online threats to the lead claimant in Britain's landmark Brexit court case.

Financial entrepreneur Gina Miller took the government to court, arguing it does not have the power to trigger Britain's exit from the 28-nation European Union without a vote in Parliament.

Last month, judges agreed. The Supreme Court is hearing an appeal by the government.

Miller, 51, says she has received abuse and death threats since the Nov. 3 ruling.

London's Metropolitan Police said Wednesday that officers had arrested a 55-year-old man in Swindon, western England, "on suspicion of racially aggravated malicious communications."

The force said the arrest concerned threats to a 51-year-old woman since Nov. 3.

The suspect has been bailed while prosecutors consider whether to charge him.