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Labour MP Marie Rimmer referendum assault case is dismissed | Labour MP Marie Rimmer referendum assault case is dismissed |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The trial of a Labour MP accused of kicking a "Yes" campaigner on the day of the Scottish independence referendum has collapsed after a legal error. | The trial of a Labour MP accused of kicking a "Yes" campaigner on the day of the Scottish independence referendum has collapsed after a legal error. |
Marie Rimmer was accused of kicking Patricia McLeish outside a Glasgow polling station on 18 September. | Marie Rimmer was accused of kicking Patricia McLeish outside a Glasgow polling station on 18 September. |
But the trial was halted because the word "Glasgow" had not been listed on the charge. | But the trial was halted because the word "Glasgow" had not been listed on the charge. |
The MP for St Helens South and Whiston made no comment as she left Glasgow Sheriff Court. | The MP for St Helens South and Whiston made no comment as she left Glasgow Sheriff Court. |
The Crown Office have confirmed they intend re-raising the case on Tuesday. | |
The 68-year-old former St Helens Council leader was a prospective parliamentary candidate when she travelled to Scotland to support the Better Together campaign. | The 68-year-old former St Helens Council leader was a prospective parliamentary candidate when she travelled to Scotland to support the Better Together campaign. |
Miss McLeish, a 51-year-old local government worker, had earlier told the trial she had been handing out leaflets outside the polling station at Shettleston Community Centre. | Miss McLeish, a 51-year-old local government worker, had earlier told the trial she had been handing out leaflets outside the polling station at Shettleston Community Centre. |
The witness claimed the MP had confronted her and initially demanded to know what Miss McLeish worked as. | The witness claimed the MP had confronted her and initially demanded to know what Miss McLeish worked as. |
'Personal space' | 'Personal space' |
Miss McLeish said she ignored her but she came back up to her again quite angry. | Miss McLeish said she ignored her but she came back up to her again quite angry. |
Miss McLeish then alleged: "She was facing me, came up into my face and she kicked me. | Miss McLeish then alleged: "She was facing me, came up into my face and she kicked me. |
"She had invaded my personal space - I had never seen that before at a polling station. She kicked me on the left shin and smirked after she done this. It was determined. | "She had invaded my personal space - I had never seen that before at a polling station. She kicked me on the left shin and smirked after she done this. It was determined. |
"I remember saying this was a disgrace. I could not believe an older woman would do that to another woman." | "I remember saying this was a disgrace. I could not believe an older woman would do that to another woman." |
The witness said she thought Ms Rimmer had mental health problems and initially had not wanted to report the matter to police. | The witness said she thought Ms Rimmer had mental health problems and initially had not wanted to report the matter to police. |
But officers later took a statement that led to her being arrested. It is believed Ms Rimmer spent up to eight hours in a police cells after being held. | But officers later took a statement that led to her being arrested. It is believed Ms Rimmer spent up to eight hours in a police cells after being held. |
It was during Ms McLeish's evidence that the sheriff noticed the word Glasgow had not been listed on the charge. | It was during Ms McLeish's evidence that the sheriff noticed the word Glasgow had not been listed on the charge. |
Prosecutors asked for the trial to continue but, after representations from Ms Rimmer's lawyer, the sheriff dismissed the case. | Prosecutors asked for the trial to continue but, after representations from Ms Rimmer's lawyer, the sheriff dismissed the case. |
A Crown Office spokesman said: "We note the decision of the court to dismiss the case. | |
"We intend re-raising the case tomorrow." |
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