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| Ex-MEP Nikki Sinclaire charged with money laundering and misconduct | Ex-MEP Nikki Sinclaire charged with money laundering and misconduct |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Former MEP Nikki Sinclaire has been charged with money laundering and misconduct in public office. | Former MEP Nikki Sinclaire has been charged with money laundering and misconduct in public office. |
| Ms Sinclaire, 45, who represented the West Midlands for UKIP, then as an independent, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 17 September. | Ms Sinclaire, 45, who represented the West Midlands for UKIP, then as an independent, will appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on 17 September. |
| She is accused of making false and dishonest submissions for travelling expenses and transferring the proceeds of fraud through a bank account. | She is accused of making false and dishonest submissions for travelling expenses and transferring the proceeds of fraud through a bank account. |
| She said she "strongly refuted" the charges and would be defending herself. | |
| The offences allegedly occurred between 1 October 2009 and 31 July 2010. | The offences allegedly occurred between 1 October 2009 and 31 July 2010. |
| 'Ludicrous allegations' | |
| Ms Sinclaire was elected as a UKIP MEP in 2009 but was expelled from the party the following year in a row over its membership of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy grouping. | Ms Sinclaire was elected as a UKIP MEP in 2009 but was expelled from the party the following year in a row over its membership of the Europe of Freedom and Democracy grouping. |
| She remained in the European Parliament as an independent before forming the We Demand A Referendum Now Party in 2012, but lost her seat in elections held last May. | She remained in the European Parliament as an independent before forming the We Demand A Referendum Now Party in 2012, but lost her seat in elections held last May. |
| She was originally arrested on 22 February 2012 and has since been on police bail. | She was originally arrested on 22 February 2012 and has since been on police bail. |
| Three other people were also arrested but will face no further action. | Three other people were also arrested but will face no further action. |
| Ms Sinclaire said: "I am disappointed that the police have chosen to charge me with the above offences without questioning me on them, after a two-and-a-half-year investigation. | |
| "The charges relate to my time as a UKIP MEP when I was under the guidance and oversight by the party in the Parliament. This will prove pivotal in resolving the matter. | |
| "During my time as an MEP I put in more than £120,000 of my salary into the cost of my work activities. | |
| "It was also me, who in 2010, drew the attention of the West Midlands Police, to irregularities I discovered had taken place, without my knowledge, in my UKIP office. | |
| "I am certain I shall be found innocent of these ludicrous and unfounded accusations." |