Matthew Torbitt, a prominent political commentator and regular panellist on GB News, has been charged with fraud by false representation related to travel and expense claims during his time as a Labour adviser, the Guardian can reveal.
Charges and Allegations
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Torbitt, 35, faces two counts of fraud by false representation. The charges relate to allegations that he obtained free rail tickets between August 2022 and September 2024 by booking them through the parliamentary travel system for trips that were not connected to parliamentary business. Additionally, on 2 October 2024, he is accused of submitting a claim for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses that were not for parliamentary purposes. Expenses for MPs' staff are ultimately funded by taxpayers.
The Metropolitan police stated that Torbitt was charged by post on 9 June. The force began an investigation in April last year after receiving a report that a member of staff working for an MP had allegedly made unauthorised purchases through a travel booking system.
Torbitt's Background and Career
Originally from Stockport, Greater Manchester, Torbitt gained attention from the political establishment by sharing his experiences of homelessness. He describes himself on his website as Britain's “favourite lefty” and one of the country's “most popular social commentators”. In addition to GB News, he has appeared on BBC's Newsnight, Sky News, and TalkTV. He was made a senior fellow at the Centre for Social Justice and an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK last year.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Torbitt was invited to shadow Andy Burnham at Westminster in 2014 when Burnham was serving as shadow health secretary. Torbitt said the internship was arranged after he impressed Burnham while filming for a documentary. Burnham, who was then MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester, stood down in 2017 to run for mayor and returned to Westminster earlier this week after winning the Makerfield byelection. Torbitt remains a vocal supporter of Burnham, who is widely expected to succeed Keir Starmer as prime minister next month, though he has no official role in Burnham's team.
Legal Proceedings
Torbitt, who now lives in Didcot, Oxfordshire, will appear at Thames Magistrates Court on 27 July in connection with both charges.
