Labour MP Natalie Elphicke defended against claims of lobbying in husband's trial

A new Labour MP, Natalie Elphicke, was accused of trying to influence the justice secretary in 2020 about her husband's trial on sexual assault charges. A senior Labour member, Jonathan Ashworth, defended Elphicke, saying the accusations were false. He called for the former justice secretary to explain the 2020 meeting publicly. Elphicke allegedly asked the justice secretary to intervene in her husband's case during the meeting. Ashworth stated that Elphicke denied these claims and questioned why the issue was raised now. Elphicke's introduction as a Labour MP was meant to be a success for the party leader, Keir Starmer. However, some Labour MPs were upset about her joining the party due to her past as a right-wing Conservative and her criticism of Labour on immigration. Some Labour MPs, like Jess Phillips and Zarah Sultana, expressed doubts about Elphicke's alignment with Labour values. David Cameron criticized Labour for accepting Elphicke, calling it opportunistic. The accusations against Elphicke were dismissed by her spokesperson as baseless. It was reported that she approached the justice secretary before her husband's trial, expressing concerns about the case's handling. The justice secretary rejected her request, emphasizing the importance of the separation of powers between parliament and the judiciary. Elphicke's spokesperson criticized the timing of the claims and defended her actions. Elphicke's decision to join Labour sparked controversy within the party, with concerns raised about her past statements regarding her husband's case. Elphicke later apologized for her previous comments about her husband's victims and acknowledged the seriousness of his actions.