A FORMER solicitor has appeared in court over his part in a £50 million mortgage fraud.

Laurence Ferrigan, 48, who was a partner at CFB Partnership in Wanstead High Street, appeared at Southwark Crown Court today (January 4).

It is alleged that several banks and building societies were defrauded out of tens of millions of pounds by a series of false mortgage applications.

The investigation is being conducted by the Serious Fraud Office, after West Midlands Police were alerted by Cheshire Building Society in March 2006.

The case was adjourned until March 1 for a case management hearing.