LONDON (Reuters) – A man accused of being a member of a banned far-right British group appeared in court on Friday, charged with encouraging an associate to murder a politician.

Christopher Lythgoe, 31, from Warrington in northern England spoke only to confirm his name and address at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Lythgoe and five other men were also charged with being members of the National Action group, which was outlawed by the British government last year.

Following their arrest, opposition Labour Party Member of Parliament Rosie Cooper said in a statement: ”I would like to thank everyone involved in this case, especially the counter-terrorism police, for keeping me, my staff and the public safe.

“There remains an ongoing criminal investigation so it would not be appropriate for me to comment further,” she added.

The six defendants were remanded in custody to appear at the Old Bailey criminal court in London next Friday.