Conservative Candidate Craig Mackinlay Charged Over Election Expenses

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-40129826

Well, well, well....just in time !

As he has now been charged at last, will he be able to stand next week ?

[-Talbot-]

Innocent until proven guilty?

[Jomlett]

Yes his name is on the ballot paper so will be standing next week.

[mikey4444]

Apparently the Party is "standing by him" and that he has the full confidence of the PM.....yes, its that bad !

[-Talbot-]

I would have thought you were not in the least bit bothered about this, after all it kept Nigel away from Westminster didn't it?

[kvalidir]

It'll damage the Tories either way, so don't to be honest know and probably irrelevant, because he'd be damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

[ToraToraTora]

He can stand but I think he should be replaced.

[mikey4444]

Perhaps this leaves the door wide open for UKIP to get their one MP !

[scooping]

This has been common practice by all Parties for decades. Remember that Labour and the Lib dems have received large fines for this already so it's stones and glass houses for the Lefties.

[mikey4444]

Scooping....but the Tories were being investigated in over 20 seats in the last Election, not Labour or any other Party.

By any way you care to look at it, its a huge embarrassment for May.

[scooping]

It really is astonishing that many of you call him guilty before a trial. So much for human rights. And it's libellous.

[mikey4444]

I haven't called anyone guilty, but he is presumed to be guilty, otherwise why would he have been arrested and charged ?

I am quite happy to wait for the verdict, but will the residents of Thanet South be quite so ready ?

This is irrelevant.....it remains that one of the most high profile contests of the 2015 Election is now being called into question.

[jim360]

It's presumed that there's a case to be made against him and it's in the public interest to test that case. He's presumed to be innocent.

[AB Editor]

Scooping:

No one has said he was guilty, only charged, and some would like him to stand down - as would be the sensible thing for everyone for the time being I'd imagine.

I know they're "your team" but do calm down.

[youngmafbog]

Hmmmm Ed : //As he has now been charged at last//

Bit close to presumption of guilt if you ask me.

[youngmafbog]

I agree with TTT, he should be replaced.

One thing you do have to wonder is the timing of this. They have had since April so why announce this a few days before an election? I think an investigation into the political views of the CPS who made the call needs to be done.

[kvalidir]

'An investigation into the political views of the CPS'???? Blimey there's nothing more amusing than a panic stricken Tory who can see his posse have been rumbled. Oh the outrage.

[youngmafbog]

So explain to me the timing then?

All parties have been involved in this and I have said before I am all for anyone breaking the law to be prosecuted. But on this particular one you do have to wonder.

[scooping]

Mikey: Presumed to be guilty because he's been charged? Good grief. Better bang up the Birmingham six again then.

[kvalidir]

Well I do agree to some degree YMB, makes you wonder if their bribe got lost in the post ;-)

[Khandro]

Mackinlay is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 4 July
and in case you aren't aware, the election is on the 8th of June, so why would he not stand?