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.