Labour councillor’s referendum assault trial postponed

The trial of a Labour candidate accused of assaulting a woman at a polling station on the day of the Scottish independence referendum has been postponed until after the general election.

Marie Rimmer, 67, a former council leader in England, denies kicking Patricia McLeish on the body at the entrance to Shettleston Community Centre in Glasgow on September 18.

The centre, in the city’s Amulree Street, was being used as a polling station that day for people to cast their votes in the ballot.

Rimmer, of St Helens, Merseyside, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court today for an expected trial.

But sheriff Andrew Normand later adjourned proceedings until August 3 after there was not enough time available to hear the case.

Rimmer is the Labour Party candidate for St Helens South and Whiston in May’s general election and a former leader of St Helens Council. She currently represents West Park ward at the council.