A FORMER politician from Hampshire has been charged with fraud offences.

Ashley Mote, who was a Member of European Parliament for South East England faces nine charges.

They include obtaining a money transfer by deception, fraud by false representation, false accounting and receiving the proceeds of crime.

The 78-year-old from Alton was elected as a UKIP MEP in 2004, but was then kicked out of the party and was an independent MEP until 2009.

He will appear before a magistrate next month.