The Scotsman

MP and team to stand trial over general election expenses claims

- By AINE FOX

A Conservati­ve MP is to stand trial on charges over his 2015 general election expenses.

Craigmacki­nlayisaccu­sedof offences under the Representa­tion of the People Act 1983 alongside campaign director Marion Little, 62, and election agent Nathan Gray, 28.

Mackinlay, who gave his address as Sion Hill, Ramsgate in Kent, arrived at Westminste­r Magistrate­s’ Court yesterday morning with his wife Kati.

The 50-year-old is charged with two counts of knowingly making a false election expenses declaratio­n, while 0 Tory MP Craig Mackinlay was in court yesterday his election agent Gray, of Red Oak, in Hawkhurst, Kent, faces one.

Conservati­ve campaign director Little, of New Road in Ware, Hertfordsh­ire, is accused of three counts related to aiding Mackinlay and Gray in making false declaratio­ns.

All three defendants indicated not guilty pleas when the charges were read to them.

Last month, Mackinlay held on to the Kent seat of South Thanet with an increased majority of 6,387, just one week after it was announced he would be prosecuted.

The Crown Prosecutio­n Service said the decision to press charges came after an investigat­ion by police of allegation­s relating to Conservati­ve Party expenditur­e during the 2015 election campaign and before the 11 June statutory time limit on prosecutio­ns.

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