Ex-MP Denis excused court as he’s on his hols

A senior district judge told Westminster Magistrates’ Court he was mystified that another judge had approved a bid by the former MP’s lawyers for a hearing on Tuesday to be postponed due to the “pre-booked” break.

Dr MacShane (65) resigned from the Commons last November after the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee recommended he be suspended from the Commons for a year after his expenses claims were investigated.

The former Europe Minister is alleged to have falsely claimed £12,900 in taxpayers’ money for research and translation services that he did not actually use.

He faces a charge of furnishing false information relating to accounts between January 2005 and January 2008, with the charge relating to 19 invoices for work carried out by the European Policy Institute.

The criminal case by the Crown Prosecution Service was due to be presented on Tuesday, but when Senior District Judge Howard Riddle asked why Dr MacShane was absent from court, he was told of the decision which left him bemused.

The judge was told how another district judge had agreed to adjourn the case yesterday after his solicitors wrote to the court to say he would be going on holiday at the end of August.

Mr Will Hayes, prosecuting, said: “That letter was considered by a district judge and the decision was taken to grant the adjournment and all that needs to happen today is for a new date to be fixed.

“Mr MacShane will be going on a pre-booked holiday at the end of August and returning on September 4th.”

The judge said: “I am a little mystified by the decision that has been taken but I can’t look behind that decision.”

Dr MacShane (pictured) served as an MP for Rotherham from 1994 until his resignation last year.

He is the sixth MP to have faced court proceedings over the expenses scandal that rocked Westminster.

The former journalist, of  Hall Grove, Rotherham, has yet to enter a plea.

He was released on bail ahead of his next court appearance on September 10.