Labour MP Fiona Onasanya charged with perverting the course of justice

The MP narrowly won the seat from her Conservative rival at the 2017 snap election with a majority of just 607.

Labour MP Fiona Onasanya is set to appear in court after being charged with perverting the course of justice, it has emerged.

The Peterborough MP, who also serves in the party’s whips office, narrowly won the seat from her Conservative rival Stewart Jackson at the 2017 snap election with a majority of just 607.

The 34-year-old politician was charged with one count of perverting the course of justice and appeared at Westminster magistrates’ court a fortnight ago.

Court records show she was charged over allegedly lying about who was behind the wheel of a speeding vehicle, the Press Association reported.

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."

The Independent has contacted Ms Onasanya for comment.

In a video posted on her Facebook page last month to mark her one year anniversary in the Commons, the Labour MP said her experience had been “surreal”.

She continued: “It’s been hard finding your feet as a new MP - no one can really prepare you for it. There’s never a straightforward day.

“I would say you work between 80 and 120 hours a week. Your days, if there was a standard, are about 18-hour days, but I really, really, have enjoyed it and I feel honoured.”