Craig Mackinlay, 50, arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London this morning with his wife Kati, as his trial date was set for next year

A Tory MP accused of fiddling his expenses in the 2015 General Election campaign is set to stand trial next May.

Craig Mackinlay and his team allegedly failed to declare expenses during the party's campaign to win the seat when he beat former Ukip leader Nigel Farage.

The 50-year-old politician secured a majority of nearly 3,000 in South Thanet, Kent, beating Mr Farage after a tense campaign with 38 per cent of the vote.

But Mackinlay and his team allegedly did not declare spending on hotel rooms and advertising materials for Tory party staff, activists and volunteers.

Mackinlay, from Ramsgate, arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London this morning with his wife Kati, wearing a grey suit, blue tie and white shirt.

He is yet to enter pleas to two counts of a candidate knowingly making a false declaration of his election expenses.

Mackinlay, from Ramsgate, Kent, is yet to enter pleas to two counts of a candidate knowingly making a false declaration of his election expenses

Mackinlay and his team allegedly failed to declare expenses during the party's campaign to win the seat when he beat former Ukip leader Nigel Farage

Nathan Gray, 28, is yet to enter a plea to one count in relation to his role as Mackinlay's election agent.

Senior Tory campaign director Marion Little, 62, is yet to enter pleas to three charges, two connected to aiding and abetting Mackinlay in his alleged wrongdoing, and one connected to Gray.

Mr Justice Anthony Edis said: 'I will fix the trial for M14 with an estimated length of six weeks.'

Mackinlay faces two counts of a candidate knowingly making a false declaration of his election expenses.

Mackinlay and his team allegedly did not declare spending on hotel rooms and advertising materials for Tory party staff, activists and volunteers

Mackinlay arrived at Southwark Crown Court wearing a grey suit, blue tie and white shirt

In 2015, Mackinlay (right) beat Nigel Farage (left) into second place with a majority of almost 3,000, taking 38 per cent of the vote. Comedian Al Murray (centre) also stood in the election

The first charge covers the period from December 19, 2014 to March 29, 2015. The second relates to spending between March 30 and May 7 in 2015.

Gray, of, Hawkhurst, Kent, faces one count over the same law in relation to his role as Mackinlay's agent.

Little, of, Ware, Hertfordshire, faces three charges, two connected to aiding and abetting Mackinlay in his alleged wrongdoing, and one connected to Gray.

All three were released on bail until a preliminary hearing at Southwark Crown Court on November 13.