BREAKING NEWS Britain's first transgender MP appears in court accused of harassing ex-wife
Britain's first transgender MP has appeared in court after being accused of harassment by an ex-wife who was allegedly sent unwanted voice notes and messages.
Conservative politician Jamie Wallis, now known as Katie Wallis, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought forward by Rebecca Wallis.
Wallis arrived at Cardiff Crown Court today dressed in a white blouse and black cardigan with coral-painted nails.
The 40-year-old is accused of making unwanted phone calls, sending unwanted messages and voice notes and driving past Ms Wallis's home between February 14 and March 21.
Wallis, the first MP to openly begin the process of gender transitioning, previously told the court: 'Legally I am known as Jamie, but I prefer to be known as Katie.'
Simone Walsh, prosecuting, told the court the defendant and alleged victim were in a relationship for more than 15 years and separated in 2020, with their divorce finalised in 2024.
'Following the victim informing the defendant of a new relationship the defendant's behaviour became harassing in nature,' she said.
Narita Bahra, defending, said there was 'no malice' on her client's part.
Last month, district Judge Rhys Williams adjourned the hearing before Wallis gave evidence after the court ran out of time.
He also ordered a new psychiatric report to be carried out on Wallis.
During the hearing, prosecutor Simone Walsh explained the 'defendant and victim' were in a relationship for 15 years and share two children together.
Ms Walsh said: 'They separated in 2020 and their divorce was finalised in 2024.
'Following the victim informing the defendant of a new relationship, the defendant's behaviour became harassing in nature.
'The frequency, nature and contents of the messages and voicemails amounted to harassment of the victim.
'Despite being arrested on February 28 and released on bail, the defendant has continued to send messages to his victim.'
A screen was put up in court to avoid Rebecca Wallis coming face-to-face with her ex-husband, the Tory MP for Bridgend between 2019 and 2024.
Narita Bahra KC, defending, said the evidence against Wallis did not amount to harassment and that the defendant's mental health had 'spiralled' at the time of the allegations.
She said: 'The complainant has chosen what messages to provide to police and she hasn't provided the full exchange with Dr Wallis.
'Dr Wallis was going through a very important stage of her transition process which was to come out full-time.
'The complainant took issue with that. She did not want Dr Wallis to come out full-time as transgender.
'This involved announcing himself as a woman to the world and dressing as a woman full-time.
'She was so unwell and was not in a position where she had support from others - she was reaching out to her.'
The prosecution offered no evidence on a charge of stalking.
As Jamie Wallis, the former MP was elected to the Commons in 2019, becoming the first Tory to win the South Wales seat of Bridgend since the 1980s.
Wallis became the first MP in the UK to come out as transgender three years later.
The announcement came after Wallis crashed a Mercedes while wearing high heels and a black leather PVC mini-skirt before leaving the scene and being arrested in bed six hours later.
In March 2022, Wallis revealed a diagnosis for gender dysphoria having 'felt this way since I was a very young child' and a desire to transition to be a woman.
Wallis also reported being raped and blackmailed, and was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
In response, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Wallis's bravery, and politicians from across the political spectrum publicly expressed their support.
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