Britain’s first transgender MP and former Tory MP for Bridgend from 2019 to 2024 Katie Wallis – formerly Jamie Wallis – appeared at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court today accused of harassing an ex-wife, Rebecca Wallis. The former MP originally faced a stalking charge, but the Crown Prosecution Service said it was being downgraded to a harassment charge. Wallis pleaded not guilty to both charges…
The hearing today was delayed after Wallis turned up late, with Wallis’ barrister telling the court she “took haven in Tesco Express” after being followed by someone from the press. The court was also told Wallis is dealing with “significant mental health issues.” The case will now proceed under the revised allegation. The trial will continue on 17 June…
Speaking on Times Radio, former Home Secretary David Blunkett spoke about overdiagnosis of mental problems:
“Let’s distinguish those who are really severely mentally ill, diagnosed with things that require prolonged medical and diagnostic treatment. My wife and I talk about this a lot, because she’s a retired GP, about the fact that you can be sad without being ill. You can be momentarily depressed because your boyfriend or girlfriend’s just thrown you and you’re not mentally ill. You can even have mild issues, which can be dealt with with the right kind of support, but it doesn’t make you mentally ill. So we’ve got a real task, I think, to get the psychology, if you like, of this over. But there are things where you definitely need medical intervention, and there are other things where you need good friends, you need good connectivity, and you need a job.”