GB News pundit charged with fraud during time as Labour adviser

Exclusive: Matthew Torbitt faces two counts by false representation in relation to travel and expense claims

A prominent political commentator has been charged with fraud in relation to his time as a Labour adviser, the Guardian can reveal.

Matthew Torbitt, a regular guest pundit on GB News, faces two counts of fraud by false representation in relation to his travel and expenses claims while working in parliament.

The Guardian understands Torbitt, 35, had advisory roles with various MPs between 2018 and 2024.

He is described on his website as Britain’s “favourite lefty” and one of the country’s “most popular social commentators”. As well as appearing as a panellist on GB News, he has also been on the BBC’s Newsnight, Sky News and TalkTV.

Originally from Stockport, Greater Manchester, Torbitt came to the attention of the political establishment by sharing his experiences of homelessness. He was made a senior fellow at the Centre for Social Justice and an ambassador for Alcohol Change UK last year.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Torbitt, who now lives in Didcot, Oxfordshire, had been accused of obtaining free rail tickets between August 2022 and September 2024 by booking them through the parliamentary travel system.

It is claimed these trips did not relate to parliamentary business. Expenses for MPs’ staff are ultimately funded by the taxpayer.

It is also alleged that, on 2 October 2024, Torbitt submitted a claim for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses that were not for parliamentary purposes.

The Metropolitan police said Torbitt was charged by post on 9 June. The force said it had begun an investigation in April last year after receiving a report that “a member of staff working for a member of parliament had allegedly made unauthorised purchases through a travel booking system”.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Torbitt was “invited to shadow” Andy Burnham at Westminster in 2014 when the Makerfield MP was serving as shadow health secretary. Torbitt said the internship had been arranged after he impressed Burnham when filming for a documentary.

At the time, Burnham was the MP for Leigh in Greater Manchester. He stood down in 2017 to run for election as the region’s mayor. He 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, although he has no official role in his team.

Torbitt will appear at Thames magistrates court in connection with both charges on 27 July.