The court case against a Merseyside MP accused of assaulting a woman at a polling station has been adjourned for a third time.
Marie Rimmer, Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston, is accused of attacking a pro-independence campaigner during the Scottish referendum campaign more than a year ago.
The sheriff at Glasgow Sheriff Court today granted permission for the case to be adjourned again until November 25.
Marie Rimmer, 67, was one of many Merseyside MPs who travelled to Scotland to support the No campaign last year, urging Scots not to abandon the union.
But the MP has been charged with assaulting a campaigner for independence outside a polling station in Glasgow’s east end on September 18, the day of the referendum.
She did not appear in court today, and has not yet entered a plea.
Labour MP Marie Rimmer
The MP, who previously led St Helens council, previously pleaded not guilty to assault at a hearing last year.
But she walked free as the case collapsed after an alleged mistake by prosecutors, with the sheriff throwing out the case when he noticed that the location, Glasgow, was missing from the charge.
Scotland’s prosecution service re-raised the case against the MP, but it was adjourned in August, September and now this month pending consultation with lawyers.
Marie Rimmer, a former Pilkington employee and councillor for more than 30 years, only joined the Commons in May this year after increasing Labour’s majority in St Helens South and Whiston by 50%.
She was appointed to a top Westminster justice committee role earlier this month despite the upcoming trial.
The trial date is yet to be confirmed.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/