Moran 'unfit to stand trial over MPs' expenses'

Margaret Moran, the former Labour MP for Luton South who is accused of falsely claiming £80,000 in Commons expenses, has been ruled unfit to plead to criminal charges.

Delivering his decision at Lewes crown court yesterday, Mr Justice Saunders forecast that the result could provoke "scepticism" but emphasised that three psychiatrists had agreed that Ms Moran, from Southampton, is suffering from a depressive illness, and is a "broken woman" and a potential danger to herself.

Her case will go to trial at Southwark Crown Court in November.