World News – GB – Labor MP Apsana Begum accused of housing fraud

Labor MP was accused of housing fraud after being investigated into how she got her apartment

Apsana Begum, who was elected to her seat at Poplar and Limehouse in east London last year, has been charged with three offenses

The MP, seen as an ally of former Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn and whose candidacy was backed by Momentum, is said to have ‘vigorously contested’ the allegations

Begum faces three separate charges of dishonest failure to disclose information for the purpose of making gain for herself or another, or exposing another person to loss with the offenses dated between January 2013 and March 2016 She is due to appear in Thames Magistrates’ Court on December 10 The charges are the result of an investigation by the Tower Hamlets Council, which, as a local authority, has the power to prosecute

A statement released by lawyers for the MP, who won her seat with a majority of nearly 29,000, said: « Ms Begum vigorously disputes these malicious and false allegations She cannot comment in further detail »

/ p>

The Sun, which exposed the charges, reported last November that Begum was facing an investigation into the apartment she had moved into months after leaving her ex-husband’s home The property is believed to be managed by a housing association, but tenants are appointed by the council

Investigators wanted to know how she got to the top of a waiting list of 18,000 so quickly, given that she had no children The newspaper had previously reported that Begum had denied the wrongdoing, saying, « I was so grateful to be housed, which provided me with the lifeline I needed to live independently and in peace. security « 

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets council said: ‘It would be inappropriate for us to comment on a specific investigation We urge others to refrain from unnecessary speculation about any investigation the council undertakes to avoid prejudicing to any legal proceedings »

Labor Party, UK House of Commons, Jeremy Corbyn, Housing, Poplar and Lime