Labour MP denies perverting the course of justice
A Labour MP accused of lying to police over speeding offences has denied perverting the course of justice.
MP for Peterborough Fiona Onasanya, 34, was dishonest about who was behind the wheel of a speeding vehicle on 24 July last year, it is alleged.
The Labour whip appeared at the Old Bailey today (mon) for a plea hearing where she denied one count of perverting the course of justice.
Her brother Festus Onasanya, 33, appeared alongside her to deny three counts of the same offence.
He wore a khaki shirt in the dock and was smiling whilst talking to his sister, who was wearing a suit jacket and dark blue top.
Festus Osanya was charged with lying to the authorities after telling Cambridgeshire Police that someone called Suvradip Paul was behind the wheel on 17 June 2017.
Ms Onasanya stands accused along with her brother of perverting the course of justice, after they later claimed it was a man called Aleks Antipow who was driving on 24 July 2017, it is alleged.
On 23 August Festus Onasanya again told police it was Aleks Antipow who was speeding in the car, enabling the siblings to avoid prosecution and punishment, the Old Bailey heard.
The judge, Nicholas Hilliard QC, extended their bail ahead of their next hearing on 26 October at the same court.
Judge Hilliard said: ‘At the moment, trial is provisionally set for the 12 November.’
After working as a solicitor, Onasanya took her seat in the Houses of Parliament in 2017 with a majority of 607 votes.
She ousted former Conservative MP Stewart Jackson and became a party whip, responsible for discipline within Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party.
Ms Onasanya, of Crabtree, Peterborough, denied one count of perverting the course of justice.
Her brother, of Chesterton, Cambridge, denied three counts of the same charge.
They will stand trial in front of a high court judge, provisionally set for 12 November at the Old Bailey.
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