Labour MP faces trial after being charged with perverting the course of justice
2 min read
A Labour MP is facing trial after being charged with perverting the course of justice for allegedly blaming someone else for a speeding offence.
Fiona Onasanya, 34, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on 12 July.
She faces two counts of perverting the course of justice, and it is alleged that the MP and her brother, Festus Onasanya, "falsely informed the investigating authorities that a third party had been the driver" of a vehicle during a police probe into a speeding offence.
The trained solicitor became Peterborough MP at last year's general election when she defeated the Conservatives' Stewart Jackson by just 607 votes.
According to the Peterborough Telegraph, Labour whip Ms Onasanya is due to appear in court again on 13 August.
The alleged offence took place in Cambridgeshire, the police have confirmed.
In a statement, a Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said: “Fiona Oluyinka Onasanya, 34, from Peterborough has been charged with one count of perverting the course of justice.
"She appeared at Westminster Magistrate’s Court on 12 July and is due to appear in court again on 13 August."
A Labour party spokesperson said: "It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing case."
It is understood the party had not been informed about her court appearance.
Ms Onasanya hit the headlines last November when she quoted lyrics from Big Shaq's hit Man's Not Hot during a debate on the Budget.
She said: "There was no extra money in the Budget for the education system. This is not as simple as saying, '2 plus 2 is 4, minus 3 is 1 - quick maths.'
"These announcements mean real-terms cuts and the potential continuation of the recruitment and retention crisis in our education system."
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