The trial of a London MP accused of fraudulently obtaining social housing got underway today.
Apsana Begum was elected MP for Poplar and Limehouse at the 2019 General Election.
The 30-year-old Labour politician denies three offences under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 - namely that she dishonestly failed to disclose information she was legally obliged to with the intention to make gains for herself.
The charges are in relation to a council housing application made to Tower Hamlets Council. The Council puts the cost of the alleged fraud at £63,928, because someone else making a claim had to be housed elsewhere.
Prosecutor James Marsland told the court that Begum had applied to go on Tower Hamlets Council's social housing register on 22nd July 2011 because she was living in "overcrowded accommodation" with her family - a circumstance which he said changed at three points.
Mr Marsland said: "Over three distinct periods of time, Ms Begum deliberately and dishonestly did not inform the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Housing Options of significant changes in her circumstances... in order to gain a social housing tenancy."
Mr Marsland outlined the Crown's case, that Begum had dishonestly stated that she lived in a three bedroom property, which in fact had four bedrooms.
He also said that Begum had lived in a completely different property for a period in excess of two years, but failed to notify the Council.
During the time of the alleged offences, Begum had worked as a social housing advisor with Tower Hamlet Homes.
According to Mr Marsland, the role gave her a "good understanding of the social housing system and how it operates".
Denying all three offences at her earlier Magistrates' Court hearing, Begum said she "vigorously contests these malicious and false allegations".
Mrs Justice Whipple is presiding over the trial, which is expected to last about a week.
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