Embattled MP Craig Thomson is facing 19 new charges, over allegations he misused thousands of dollars of union funds.

A court has granted him more time to fight the allegations.

Rachel Boyce reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The former Labor MP made a brief appearance in Melbourne’s Magistrates Court this morning.

The new charges are 15 counts of fraud and four of theft, added to the 154 fraud-related charges already filed in court in February.

Among them, allegations that between 2002 and 2008 Mr Thomson used union money for flights, accommodation, prostitutes, pornographic films, meals and cigarettes.

There are 25 volumes of material and more than 140 witnesses for Mr Thomson’s legal team to go through and the Court agreed with their request for more time.

Outside, Mr Thomson was reluctant to talk.

Craig Thomson, Independent MP: “The matter’s before the court now. I can’t really say much more.”

Mr Thomson remains on bail until a commital mention in July.

Rachel Boyce QUT NEWS.