Ex-MEP Nikki Sinclaire denies money laundering and misconduct
Former UKIP MEP Nikki Sinclaire has pleaded not guilty to money laundering and misconduct in public office.
The 46-year-old, who represented the West Midlands for UKIP and then as an independent, denied the charges at Birmingham Crown Court this week.
Ms Sinclaire spoke only to deny one count of misconduct in a public office and one of fraudulently transferring criminal property.
She is accused of committing the offences between 1 October 2009 and 31 July 2010.
The case was adjourned and Ms Sinclaire, of Shirley, West Midlands, was bailed to reappear in the autumn.
Judge Simon Drew QC told her: “I am going to adjourn your case for trial which will begin on October 19.
“I need to tell you that you must attend and if you fail to do so you will commit a separate offence and the case will continue in your absence.
“The will also be a pre-trial review on October 2 that I expect you will want to attend.
“You are free to go on conditional bail.”
Ms Sinclair was one of the first openly transgender politicians to sit in the European Parliament.
She lost her West Midlands seat in last May’s European elections.
Comments on this story are disabled for legal reasons.
