Trial hears ex-MP is person of 'highest integrity'

A former MP accused of establishing a fraudulent Covid-19 testing firm will not be giving evidence in his own defence.

Shahid Malik, from Burnley, is one of five people on trial at Bradford Crown Court over their involvement with RT Diagnostics.

Mr Malik, 57, who lost his Dewsbury seat in 2010 after being elected in 2005, denies fraudulent trading, causing a public nuisance and money laundering.

On Thursday, his barrister said he would instead read out character references including one from the former Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, who described Mr Malik as "a person of the highest integrity".

Prosecutors have claimed the former justice and communities minister was the "driving force" behind establishing the company along with pharmacist and former Labour councillor Faisal Shoukat, 37, from Halifax, who denies the same three offences as Mr Malik.

It has been alleged that RT Diagnostics, which made £6.67m in three weeks, was set up in "shoddy and inadequate premises" in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and gave out false negative results to customers.

The three other defendants, Lynn Connell, 64, Paul Moore, 56, and Alexander Zarneh, 70, are all accused of fraudulent trading and causing a public nuisance.

Judge Christopher Smith asked Mr Malik's barrister Angus MacDonald if he had advised his client that if he chose not to give evidence, the jury "may draw such inferences as appear proper".

Mr MacDonald said he had and went on to read five character references on Mr Malik's behalf.

In his statement, Mr Ghaffur said the former MP had "played an important role in challenging extremism and promoting community cohesion" after the London bombings in 2005.

He added that as a minister he would have been given the "highest levels of vetting".

"I can say without hesitation he is a person of the highest integrity."

Another statement on Mr Malik's character came from South African businessman Haroon Kalla, who praised the defendant's work in developing countries during the pandemic, helping to address a "chronic shortage" of testing kits.

He said Mr Malik had been involved in a "simple and brilliant" initiative to move manufacturing capacity into a number of hubs across the developing world "ensuring no dependence on China in the future, or burden on the west".

He added the former MP was "respected globally among all those who encounter him".

Another witness statement was provided by Kevin Partingon, the former rector of Dewsbury Minster.

He said the former MP's loss of his seat had been a "detriment to the life and times of Dewsbury".

Ian Murray, who owns several pubs in Dewsbury town centre, said Mr Malik was "widely regarded as one of the hardest-working MPs the town has ever had" and that many people had hoped he would be re-elected.

Mr Malik and his co-defendants all deny the charges against them and the trial continues.

Additional reporting by PA Media

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