UPDATE : The trial date has been set for Devine, Morley and Chaytor – March 30, Southwark Crown Court. Predictably they tried to plead parliamentary privilege to Horseferry Magistrates and even refused at first to get in the dock. Their lawyers told the court that the case infringed upon the separation of powers. Desperate.
They are trying to claim it is a matter of principle and an affront to parliament, which is why they don’t think they should be in the dock. They have been charged with offences under the Theft Act, not matters of political principle or constitutional importance. They just don’t get it do they. They are being charged for criminal acts, not political activities.