Jack Renshaw

Jack Renshaw, a far-right extremist from Skelmersdale in Lancashire, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2019 following his conviction for plotting to murder Rosie Cooper, the then Labour MP for West Lancashire. The plot, which came to light just a year after the terrorist murder of MP Jo Cox in 2016, involved Renshaw purchasing a 19-inch knife with the intention of replicating the fatal attack on Cox by stabbing Cooper. His plans were thwarted when a whistleblower from the campaign group Hope Not Hate leaked the details to authorities, preventing the assassination.

In addition to the murder plot, Renshaw's criminal history included serious sexual offences. He was found guilty of grooming two underage boys by sending them sexual images of himself and inciting them to engage in sexual activity, earning him the label of a convicted paedophile. This conviction formed part of the broader case against him, highlighting his dangerous propensity for exploitation and violence.

Renshaw's extremism extended beyond the murder plot; he had previously received a three-year jail sentence for stirring up racial hatred by calling for the genocide of Jewish people. He also admitted to making preparations to kill Ms Cooper and issuing threats to kill a police officer. The severity of his crimes led to the life sentence, underscoring the threat he posed to public safety.

While serving his sentence at HMP Wakefield, Renshaw reportedly suffered a brutal attack in prison, believed to be linked to his far-right views. He was slashed across the face with a makeshift shank, leaving him disfigured and with a gaping wound. Sources described the incident as a vicious and pre-planned assault, with blood everywhere and guards rushing to the scene. Iain Ochieng, a rapist from Bristol, is under investigation for the attack, though Renshaw was fortunate to survive.

The plot against Rosie Cooper was later dramatised in the ITV series The Walk-In, which Ms Cooper criticised as 'stupid, stupid, stupid.' Renshaw's actions were condemned widely, reflecting the ongoing concerns over far-right terrorism and child sexual exploitation in the UK.