Cumbrian MP Mark Jenkinson has welcomed the news that a councillor who threatened him and a council leader has been removed from his position.

Peter Little, 37, of Grasmere Terrace, Maryport, was jailed at Workington Magistrates' Court after he pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message at a hearing on September 29.

He had sent a threatening email to Allerdale Council's chief executive, Andrew Seekings, on September 4, which said: "You and the MP are f*****."

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison on Tuesday.

Mr Jenkinson said that the people of Maryport had 'been badly let down by their elected representatives'.

He said: "I know that many of them were disappointed to see former councillor Little continue in post after previously being sentenced for attacks on our hard-working police officers – with the suspended sentence falling a week short of that required for disqualification in the legislation.

"They’re now being offered a chance to reset their relationship with their elected councillors – one that I hope they’ll grab with both hands."

A by-election will now be held to fill the empty seat for Maryport South.

A spokesman for Allerdale Council said: "Peter Little yesterday received a custodial prison sentence of six weeks to run consecutively with an existing suspended sentence of 12 weeks. We have had confirmation that he is now therefore serving an 18 week sentence.

"This means that under S80 of the Local Government Act 1972, Peter is automatically disqualified as a councillor with immediate effect.

"The council must by law start the process to run a by election to fill the vacant seat and the electoral services team has today published the notice of vacancy which can be found on the council's website."

Little had been on a suspended prison sentence after being convicted on August 24 of a number of public order offences, including the homophobic abuse of police officers.

Mr Seekings had reported the latest offence to Cumbria police and the Metropolitan police due to the threat made towards Mr Jenkinson.

At Workington Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said that Little had told police there was 'no malice' in his email.

When being interviewed he had said: "I just thought I would let them know they were all in it for themselves.

"I just felt everyone was wanting me to resign. I just told him to stop contacting me."

Little had gone on to say: "I hope in time they get their downfall" and that Mark Jenkinson 'was not a liked man in Maryport'.

John Cooper, defending, said: "He appreciates he shouldn't have sent it. Mr Seekings says he is disappointed because of the abuse he receives. He doesn't say he is distressed.

"To be fair, he has taken it in quite a balanced way. He then contacts police because of the nature of the comments."

When passing sentence, Judge Hadfield made reference to the recent murder of Conservative MP Sir David Amess.

He said: "Any threat directed towards a public servant is always treated very seriously by the court. All too obvious of course as a result of the recent tragic events in the last few days.

"There is clearly a theme emerging for your conduct. A custodial sentence is inevitable."

Little shouted 'pigs' and other profanities as he was led away to the cells by police officers.