Arrest warrant for deselected MP

Former MP Jane Griffiths failed to appear in court

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former MP after she failed to appear at a county court over her debts.

Jane Griffiths was due to appear before Reading County Court over her finances on Monday.

The ex-Labour MP for Reading East, who is thought to owe £29,000 to the Inland Revenue, was deselected by her local party in February 2004.

The arrest warrant was issued after the court heard an appointment letter was served on three of her addresses.

Reading East Labour party members voted to deselect Mrs Griffiths, over what were described as personality issues.

The 49-year-old became the first member of parliament to be deselected by her constituency in 10 years.