Matthew Torbitt, a GB News pundit and former Labour aide, pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Thames magistrates court. The offences involved fraudulent claims for parliamentary travel and accommodation expenses totaling over £6,000.
The case highlights potential misuse of taxpayer-funded parliamentary expenses by staff, raising questions about oversight and accountability within political offices.
Matthew Torbitt, a political commentator for GB News and former Labour aide, has pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation. The offences, which occurred between August 2022 and September 2024, involved fraudulent claims for parliamentary travel and accommodation expenses totaling over £6,000. Torbitt submitted these claims via the parliamentary travel system while working for MP Christian Wakeford. The Metropolitan police launched an investigation last April after receiving a report of unauthorized purchases. Torbitt, who has previously spoken about his experiences with rough sleeping, was charged on June 9. He was granted unconditional bail by District Judge Navneet Sher and is scheduled to be sentenced later this year at Snaresbrook crown court. Torbitt previously worked as a caseworker for various Labour MPs and interned with Andy Burnham.
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