Former Labour MP cleared in fraudulent Covid testing trial

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:44 · Archive

Shahid Malik, a former Labour justice minister, was found not guilty of three offences relating to RT Diagnostics, a fraudulent Covid-19 testing company.

Shahid Malik, 58, who was MP for Dewsbury from 2005 to 2010 and served as a minister in three departments under Gordon Brown, was found not guilty on Thursday of fraudulent trading, causing a public nuisance and money laundering. He was one of five people charged over RT Diagnostics, which prosecutors said was set up to exploit the government's expanding test and trace system in March 2021.

The trial at Bradford Crown Court lasted from October until March, when jurors were sent to begin deliberations. In April, the judge discharged the jury after an allegation of jury tampering. Judge Christopher Smith decided to continue the trial without a jury, taking the verdicts himself.

Malik started the business with pharmacist and former Labour councillor Faisal Shoukat, 39, when the third national lockdown was ending. The court heard that RT Diagnostics made £6.67m in three weeks. Shoukat was found guilty of all three offences. Paul Moore, 57, who had a senior role at the company, and managers Lynn Connell, 64, and Alexander Zarneh, 70, were cleared of causing a public nuisance and fraudulent trading.

How it is being reported

• Former Labour MP cleared over role in fraudulent Covid-19 testing companyCourt hears former justice minister Shahid Malik had only ‘very limited’ role in business that made £6.67m in three weeks UK politics live – latest updates A former Labour MP and justice minister has been found not guilty of charges around his role in a fraudulent Covid-19 testing company. Shahid Malik, 58, was MP for Dewsbury between 2005 and 2010 and served as a minister in three departments in Gordon Brown’s government. Continue reading...The Guardian · 8 Oct, 15:06
• Former MP cleared of role in bogus Covid-19 testing firm in trial without juryShahid Malik was found not guilty by a judge of three offences relating to RT Diagnostics.Evening Standard · 8 Oct, 14:13

In this story: Shahid Malik · Faisal Shoukat · RT Diagnostics · Bradford Crown Court · Dewsbury

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