A man has appeared before magistrates in Oxford charged with threatening to kill Oxford East MP and Cabinet minister Andrew Smith.

Philip Ward, 45, of Bank Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, is accused of calling BBC Radio Oxford presenter Bill Heine and telling Mr Heine he intended to kill Mr Smith, which made Mr Heine fear the threat would be carried out.

Ward was remanded in custody to appear before magistrates again on June 23.

A committal hearing will take place at Oxford Magistrates' Court on July 14.