Former Luton South MP Margaret Moran, who is accused of fiddling her parliamentary expenses, is not fit to stand trial, a court has been told.
Consultant forensic psychiatrist Philip Joseph said that Ms Moran, 56, was suffering from a depressive illness and extreme anxiety and agitation.
Dr Joseph also told Lewes Crown Court she had tried to harm herself and there was a risk of suicide.
The ex-Labour MP did not attend the hearing before Mr Justice Saunders.
Ms Moran, of Ivy Road, St Denys, Southampton, Hampshire, was described as weeping inconsolably when she appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court last year on 15 charges of false accounting and six of using a false instrument relating to expense claims totalling around £80,000.
It is alleged that Ms Moran, who stood down at the last election, "flipped" her designated second home, making claims for properties in London, Luton and Southampton.
Other allegations include that she dishonestly claimed £22,500 to repair dry rot at her Southampton home.
She is also accused of falsely claiming £14,805 for boiler repairs and work on her conservatory.
Dr Joseph told Lewes Crown Court the stress of the proceedings and allegations she was facing made it impossible for her to participate in court proceedings.
He added that she felt feelings of abandonment by the Labour Party and shame that her career was over.
©BBC
©BBC
No comments:
Post a Comment