Trial of South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay over election expenses is delayed

Craig Mackinlay

The crown court trial of South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay and two former aides on charges relating to false election expenses declarations has been delayed.

Mr Mackinlay, 50, election agent Nathan Gray, 28, and party activist Marion Little, 62, were each been charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Mr Mackinlay faced two charges, Mr Gray one charge and Ms Little three counts.

All three pleaded not guilty at a previous hearing.

The trial was due to begin at Southwark Crown Court today (May 14) but has been delayed for legal reasons.

A new date has not been set so far.

The accusations relate to a Channel 4 investigation which questioned the local election spend during the Conservative campaign in 2015.

Mr Mackinlay won the South Thanet seat, beating former UKIP leader Nigel Farage into second place, with a majority of almost 3,000 in 2015.

He increased that majority when he retained the seat in the June snap election with 25,262 votes ahead of Labour’s Raushan Ara who received 18,875 votes.

10 Comments

  1. It’s not right to have this hanging over them! Either try them now or acquit them !! 2015/ 2018 !!!!

  2. The sooner this whole debacle is decided the better. Regardless of the result ..
    How can the man operate properly with these allegations hanging over him ?

  3. The mental strain on these people is not right . The CPS have had long enough to prepare a case . Time to draw a line underneath it all .

  4. The sooner its over and done with and a guilty verdict is reached, the better. Lets strip our political system of those who seek to abuse it. The law is the law.

  5. The Tories were prepared to go to any lengths to keep Nigel Farage out of Parliament
    he was specifically targeted

  6. When is the new start date for the trial ? Surely this is a serious matter of public interest ?

    Why has it taken almost three years to get this far ?

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