South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay and two former aides are scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey court in London tomorrow (August 8) for a brief hearing. A trial date is expected to be set relating to charges of false election expense declarations.

Mr Mackinlay, 51, election agent Nathan Gray, 29, and party activist Marion Little, 63, were each charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983 in relation to expense declarations during the 2015 General Election.

The accusations relate to the local election spend during the Conservative campaign in 2015.

The trial had been due to begin at Southwark Crown Court on May 14 and was scheduled for six weeks.

This was delayed while a pre-trial appeal was heard by Lady Hale (President), Lord Mance, Lord Hughes, Lord Hodge and Lord Lloyd-Jones at the Supreme Court. A judgement on that appeal was issued on July 25.

Tomorrow’s hearing is for ‘mention and to fix’ and scheduled to be presided over by The Honourable Mr Justice Edis in court 12 at 10.30am.