Former Conservative MP appears in court accused of having false passport

A former Conservative MP has appeared in court, accused of having a false passport.

Katie Wallis, 41, from the Butetown area of Cardiff, became the first openly transgender MP in the House of Commons in 2022.

Wallis, previously known as Jamie, served as the MP for Bridgend from 2019 to 2024.

She appeared before Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Monday, representing herself, where the charge was read out.

The defendant was accused of having a false passport "without reasonable excuse" in April 2022, while she was still serving as a Conservative MP.

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Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff, adjourned the hearing so that Wallis could decide whether to seek legal representation.

"I'm going to adjourn this for a short period of time to enable you to decide whether you want to get at least some initial advice," the judge said.

Wallis, who wore a pink jacket, was released on bail until the next hearing on 15 August.