Election '97: Marsh quits as Lib-Dem candidate after charge

The former boxer Terry Marsh is to stand down as prospective Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Basildon in Essex after being charged by police. Scotland Yard has confirmed that Mr Marsh, 37, will appear before Thames magistrates on 20 May, accused of obtaining property and a service by deception.

The charges relate to tuition fees and a grant application made by him while a student between the dates of May 1995 and December 1996. Mr Marsh said last night: "I will be vigorously defending the action."