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Tuesday 5 March 2019

Fiona Onasanya Refused Permission to Appeal Conviction


Disgraced politician Fiona Onasanya has been refused permission to appeal her conviction for perverting the course of justice.

Onasanya, 35, represented herself at this morning's Court of Appeal hearing before Sir Brian Leveson, Mr Justice William Davis and Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb.

The main thrust of Onasanya's appeal, which is actually no basis for appeal at all, was her argument that "I didn't do it".

The MP for Peterborough also argued that negative press coverage had inferred her guilt at the retrial.

An appeal can only be allowed when there is some legitimate suggestion that the trial verdict is unsafe due to procedural errors or those in law. Disagreeing with the jury's decision isn't sufficient grounds for an appeal on its own.

The Appeal Judges didn't take very long to conclude that Onasanya's appeal was "misconceived" and "not based on valid grounds".

Sir Brian said: "This applicant was tried fairly by the jury who rejected her evidence.

"There was no error in law in the guidance of the judge whose directions in law were clear and accurate. Neither was there any other irregularities at the trial.

"It is a tragedy that she has damaged, probably irreparably, a promising political career, but there is absolutely no basis for challenging the safety of her conviction."


Addressing the matter of press coverage, Sir Brian added: "The courts are very used to dealing with adverse publicity. The jury were warned at the beginning of the trial that they had to focus only on the evidence."

Onasanya, who was released from prison last week, appeared in court this morning without any notes. In one comedy moment the lawyer-turned-politician had to ask prosecutor David Jeremy QC if he could help answering a question by the court.

Leaving the Royal Courts of Justice, Onasanya made no comment on the court's decision.

A recall petition can now go ahead. A by-election, which will undoubtedly mean the unseating of Onasanya, will be triggered if at least 10 percent of constituents vote for one.

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