Candidate denies any expenses wrongdoing

A Conservative candidate facing charges over his 2015 general election expenses has said he has done nothing wrong.

The Crown Prosecution Service said that it has charged Craig Mackinlay – who defeated Ukip’s Nigel Farage in South Thanet – with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

But in a statement posted on Facebook, Mackinlay, 50, condemned the “shocking” decision to prosecute and said he was confident he would be cleared.

“Our justice system is underpinned by the presumption of innocence and I am confident that I will be acquitted as I have done nothing wrong and acted honestly and properly whilst a candidate in 2015, and as all candidates do, acted upon advice throughout,” he said.

“Clearly this is a shocking decision by the CPS, given that I’ve done nothing wrong and I am confident that this will be made very clear as the matter progresses.”

Earlier, he received support from Prime Minister Theresa May, who said: “The Conservative party continues to believe that these allegations are unfounded. Craig Mackinlay is innocent until proven guilty and he remains our candidate.”

Mackinlay said he was “disappointed” at the way the case had been handled by the CPS and Kent Police and questioned the timing of the announcement just days before the general election on June 8.