THE former Labour MP for Peterborough, Fiona Onasanya, maintained her innocence as a recall petition opened against her on Tuesday.

She was sentenced to three months in prison in January for perverting the course of justice after denying a driving offence (News, 4 January). Ms Onasanya, a former solicitor, and a Christian, will be forced to stand down as an MP if ten per cent of eligible constituents — thought to be about 7000 — vote against her. The petition closes at 5 p.m. on 1 May.

Speaking to The Times this week, the Vicar of St John the Baptist, Peterborough, Canon Ian Black, said: “She has had more than her day in court. . . I think she is someone going through a personal turmoil, and for that she does have my profound sympathy and prayers, but I think her days as our MP should come to an end.”

In a message to Labour colleagues after she was found guilty, Ms Onasanya said: “I am in good biblical company along with Joseph, Moses, Daniel, and his three Hebrew friends, who were each found guilty by the courts of their day.”