A former Labour advisor and political commentator has been convicted of fiddling his travel claims when he was employed by an MP.
Matthew Torbitt, 35, admitted two offences of fraud by false representation when he appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court on Monday, 27th July 2026.
Fraud by false representation is an offence under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment. You can read more about fraud by false representation in my earlier guide to the offence.
The court heard that Torbitt, who is regularly seen plying his wares on the likes of Talk TV and GB News, had previously been employed by Christian Wakeford, the MP for Bury South.
This gave him access to the Parliamentary Travel Office, through which he fraudulently booked train travel that was not for Parliamentary purposes.
The 35-year-old also admitted claiming for the reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses that were not for Parliamentary business.
Maisha Mannan, prosecuting, told the court that the claims amounted to more than £6,000, but the exact figure would need to be determined.
Having heard the facts, District Judge Navneet Sher was of the view that the court's sentencing powers were insufficient.
She granted Torbitt unconditional bail until his sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, on a date yet to be determined.
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