Shock as MP is arrested

Wolverhampton MP Rob Marris has been arrested and charged with criminal damage, the Express & Star can reveal.

The shock move comes over allegations he clambered over the bonnet of a parked van to board a city bus.

Detectives investigating the incident interviewed the 53-year-old yesterday. Trained solicitor Mr Marris – Wolverhampton South West MP for the past seven years – had been asked to go to Bilston Street police station in connection with the inquiry.

He was formally accused of the alleged offence after questioning and will appear in court at a later date.

People watched in astonishment as a man climbed over a parked van to board a bus in Jeffcock Road, Penn Fields, last month.

Eye witnesses, who identified Mr Marris to the police, later said the vehicle had been left blocking the stop.

Magistrate's son Mr Marris is a former bus driver who lives in Penn Fields.

He said today: "I have no comment to make. This is a personal matter which has no bearing on my Parliamentary duties. I intend to plead not guilty to this charge."

West Midland Police spokeswoman Jaspreet Jagdev said this afternoon: "A 53-year-old man from Wolverhampton has been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage following an alleged incident at a bus stop in Jeffcock Road.

"He has now been charged with the offence."

Mr Marris was born in Wolverhampton. He spent time in Canada after finishing school and worked as a lumberjack before gaining a first class degree at the University of British Columbia.

He then returned to Wolverhampton and worked as a solicitor before being elected to Parliament in 2001.

He has been bailed to appear before magistrates in Coventry later in the month.