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LABOUR MP Apsana Begum was found not guilty of housing fraud today.
The Poplar and Limehouse MP stood trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in London for three counts of dishonestly failing to disclose information relating to her council housing application between 2013 and 2016.
Tower Hamlets Council, which brought the prosecution, alleged that the cost to the local authority was more than £60,000, because someone else on the housing list had to be given accommodation elsewhere.
But jurors found the MP not guilty of all charges, which was met with applause from the public gallery.
In a statement after her acquittal, Ms Begum claimed the case against her had been driven by “malicious intent” and had caused her “great distress.”
She said: “I would like to say a sincere thank you to all my legal team and all those who have shown me solidarity, support and kindness.”
A Tower Hamlets spokesperson said the council accepted the verdicts and now considered the matter closed.
Welcoming the outcome, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted: “Congratulations @ApsanaBegum; Always knew you to be a woman of amazing strength and fortitude and yet again that has been proven.”
