Mon, 27 Jun 2016
A former West Midlands UKIP MEP has been accused of money laundering and committing misconduct in a public office in relation to European Parliamentary travel expenses.
Nikki Sinclair, from Solihull, arrived at Birmingham Crown Court, told journalists that they would be hearing evidence about UKIP leader Nigel Farage later in the week.
Sinclaire was accused of misconduct in a public office between October 2009 to July 2010 whilst a serving member of the European Parliament by making or causing to be made false or dishonest claims for travel expenses.
It was also heard that during this time Sinclaire was further charged for fraudulently transferring criminal property into her bank account.
This trial, in which Antonie Muller prosecutes in, is expected to last for three weeks at Birmingham Crown Court.
Click here to read this article reported by the Express and Star.
UPDATE
Mr Muller said that Sinclaire submitted up to ten false claims through "dishonesty and deception" rather than error.
Opening the prosecution's case Mr Muller said: "In short, this is a case about a member of the European Parliament, an elected official, making false and dishonest claims for travel expenses during her office."
It was heard that on one occasion one of claims include Sinclaire had driven from Solihull to Stoke-on-Trent when she was in Cyprus.
At the start of the trial, Judge Stephen Eyre QC told the jury" "This is not a trial about politics, but about particular events in a particular time and about the intention of which certain things were done.
Whether you agree or disagree with the defendant's politics is irrelevant to this trial."
The trial continues.
To read the update reported by the Express and Star please click here.
Antonie Muller is part of the Criminal Law group at No5 Chambers. Click here to read Antonie Muller’s criminal law profile.
