Convicted MP Fiona Onasanya will be brought before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to answer three allegations of misconduct, it was confirmed today.

The Peterborough MP was convicted in December on indictment of a single count of doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority announced today it has charged the former commercial property lawyer with failing to uphold the proper administration of justice, failing to act with integrity and failing to behave in a way that maintains the trust the public places in her and the provision of legal services.

She will be subject to an SDT hearing at an unnamed date, with the allegations remaining as yet unproven.

Onasanya produced one of the biggest shocks of the 2017 general election when she took the Peterborough seat for Labour with a 607 majority.  But within two years she had been convicted and jailed for a month after lying to avoid a speeding charge. She was also expelled from the Labour Party.

Onasanya continues to sit in parliament - her sentence was not long enough to trigger automatic removal as an MP - and insists she is innocent. Having failed with an appeal against her conviction, she released a video in which she said: ’I am telling you I am innocent and will continue to pursue avenues to clear my name. If you wish me to continue as your independent member of parliament I am willing and able to do so.’

The SRA presented evidence to the tribunal of Onasanya’s alleged misconduct, and the SDT has confirmed there is a case to answer. The tribunal will announce a hearing date in due course, and has the power to impose a fine, suspension or strike off, if the allegations are proved.

 

Topics