AN assault case against Marie Rimmer, the Labour MP for St Helens South and Whiston, has been dropped after an apparent technical error by prosecutors, according to reports from Glasgow.

Ms Rimmer, 68, went on trial this afternoon at Glasgow Sheriff's Court accused of assaulting a woman during the Scottish independence campaign last autumn.

The St Helens councillor, who was elected as an MP in May after a lengthy political career, had been in Glasgow with Labour colleagues campaigning for a NO vote.

She denied kicking Patricia McLeish, 51, in the shin at the entrance to Shettleston Community Centre on September 18.

The trial started this afternoon but the case collapsed midway through after Sheriff Brian Adair pointed out the the word "Glasgow" had not been listed on the charge.

Rimmer's lawyer Liam Ewing claimed the charge was not permissable due to the prosecution "error".

Sheriff Adair decided to dismiss the case against the MP due to lack of location in the charge.

A spokesman for Ms Rimmer's constituency office confirmed the case had been dropped. The MP, accompanied to the hearing by St Helens councillor John Fulham, left court without comment, however, a statement on behalf of Ms Rimmer is expected to be issued shortly.

Miss McLeish had earlier given evidence in which she alleged she was kicked in the shin while handing out leaflets for the Yes campaign.

A spokesman from Scotland's Prosecution Service said they are considering the sheriff's position.