THE son of a senior North-East Labour MP accused of stealing money from a leading politician made a brief appearance in court yesterday.

Malcolm Bell, 19, son of Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell, is charged with the theft of £850 from George Galloway, MP for Glasgow Kelvin.

Mr Bell, who had been working in the House of Commons at the time, as a researcher for his father, is also accused of obtaining an Egyptian figurine, worth £1,788, by deception.

Four blank cheques belonging to Mr Galloway's firm, Finjan Limited, were stolen from the Scottish MP's office, in Portcullis House, Westminster, it is alleged.

Mr Bell, of Park House, Richmond Hill, Richmond, appeared before Bow Street Magistrates' Court, in central London, charged with theft, obtaining money by deception, obtaining a money transfer by deception, and attempting to obtain a money transfer by deception.

The charges relate to August and October this year.

Bell, smartly dressed in a dark blue suit, black tie, and white shirt was remanded on unconditional bail and ordered to return on January 17.

District Judge Penelope Hewitt warned him that failure to attend the next hearing could result in a fine or imprisonment or both.

His 63-year-old father, has been the Labour MP for Middlesbrough since 1983.