Margaret Moran, the former Labour MP accused of falsely claiming £80,000 in expenses, has been found unfit to plead after a court heard she felt “suicidal” after being “abandoned” by the Labour Party.
Moran, 56, of Southampton, did not attend the hour-long hearing today before Mr Justice Saunders at Lewes crown court.
It was found that she is suffering from “a depressive illness with associated anxiety”, which becomes “most severe” when discussing the case in which she faces 21 charges.
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Philip Joseph described Moran as a “broken woman” and added: “It remains a concern she may commit suicide. Bear in mind she has attempted to harm herself.”
He said the extent of Moran’s depression has affected her ability to concentrate and remember events and therefore she cannot successfully “apply her mind” to proceedings.
A psychiatrist commissioned by the prosecution agreed Moran was not fit to plead. She is charged with 15 charges of false accounting and six of using a false instrument relating to expense claims totalling £80,000.
Among the allegations is that she falsely claimed £14,805 for boiler repairs and work on her conservatory.
