New Labour Mayor dodges fraud charges

A MAYOR declared himself too ill to face a court on benefit fraud charges — but turned up 48 hours later at a SOCCER match.

Labour councillor John Walker, 55, braved freezing weather to cheer on his Liverpool heroes as they thrashed Fulham 5-1.

Earlier he cried off from court because of high blood pressure.

Councillor Walker is Mayor of Sefton, Liverpool. Wrapped in fleece jacket and a heavy scarf to ward off the cold winds, he was snapped at Wednesday’s Premiership match as he chatted to a fellow fan.

One supporter said: “He was standing up from his seat. It didn’t appear to me that he was ill in any way.”

Mr Walker said last night:

My blood pressure is 186 over 105 — that’s why I couldn’t go to court. I went to the match as a form of relief.

I was taken to the game, dropped off near the ground and walked a short distance to the stadium. I was picked up afterwards, too.

I think turning up at a court hearing is a tad more stressful than going to a football match.

The game was relaxation — am I not fit enough to do that?

I can’t believe somebody has taken a picture of me at Anfield. I’m being hounded. It’s outrageous.

He faces three counts of false accounting and one of failing to report a change in circumstances.

The case was adjourned until April 27 . . . two days before Liverpool face Aston Villa at Anfield.

By GUY PATRICK at The Sun