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A Kent MP and his two aides accused of wrongdoing over the declaration of expenses and breaching campaign spending limits during the 2015 general election will stand trial next year.

South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay, 50, is alleged to have not properly reported expenses in his local return.

The Tory politician, his election agent at the time Nathan Gray, 28, and campaign specialist Marion Little, 62, are all charged under the Representation of the People Act 1983.

Craig Mackinlay

The charges relate to the party's election expenses during the 2015 campaign in the constituency which were allegedly not properly reported to the Electoral Commission.

All three appeared at Southwark Crown Court today for the short hearing where the trial date was set.

It is claimed some expenses incurred during the campaign in South Thanet were wrongly attributed to national expenditure instead of local expenditure.

If they had been done correctly they would have been in breach of spending limits, it is alleged.

The moment Craig Mackinlay won the South Thanet seat

The trial, which is estimated to last four to six weeks, was listed to start in May next year.

Mr Justice Idis said: "I will fix the trial for the 14th of May with an estimated length of six weeks.

"That is indicated, on the basis of what has been said to me, as a pessimistic but realistic estimate."

Mackinlay, who lives in Ramsgate, is charged with two counts of making false election expenses declarations.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Gray, of Hawkhurst, Kent, is charged with one count of making false election expenses declaration on June 11.

Little, of Ware, Herts, is charged with all three counts.

Today's arraignment was adjourned for all three defendants.

They were bailed to appear at the same court on November 24 for arraignment.