UK MPs face charges over expenses

6 Feb 2010, 6:35 am   -   Source: AAP
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British prosecutors have announced criminal charges against four politicians over alleged abuse of parliamentary expenses.

British prosecutors have announced criminal charges against four politicians over alleged abuse of parliamentary expenses, a dramatic twist in a scandal that has rocked politics in the UK.

Keir Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, said charges of false accounting would be brought against three Labour members of the elected House of Commons (MPs) and one Conservative member of the unelected House of Lords.

"In four cases, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges and that it is in the public interest to charge the individuals concerned," Starmer said on Friday.

"Accordingly, summonses in these cases have been obtained from the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court and will now be served on the individuals in question."

The three MPs - who all deny wrongdoing - are from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Labour party, and news of the charges is likely to hurt him ahead of the next election, which must be held by June.

A party spokesman said they had already been barred from standing as Labour candidates in the vote, which opinion polls suggest Labour is going to lose to the main opposition Conservatives after 13 years in office.

"The Labour party has zero tolerance for criminal behaviour and will take the strongest possible disciplinary action against any party member found guilty of breaking the law," a spokesman said.

Lord Hanningfield, the Conservative peer who faces charges, also protested his innocence but immediately resigned his position as a business spokesman for his party and his membership was suspended, a party spokesman said.

Brown's government introduced a new system of expenses after the publication of leaked parliamentary expenses in May - showing how politicians claimed for everything from flatscreen TVs to massage chairs - caused a major scandal.

MPs to repay £1.1 million

An investigation into the row by former civil servant Thomas Legg concluded on Thursday that MPs should repay  £1.1 million ($A2.0 million) in expenses, and slammed the "deeply flawed" system.

Starmer said on Friday that former minister Elliot Morley MP faces two charges of allegedly dishonestly claiming mortgage expenses, including claiming STG16,000 ($A29,154.52) for a mortgage that no longer existed.

His fellow MP David Chaytor faces three charges, including on allegations that he used false invoices to claim for IT services and that he claimed almost  £13,000 ($A23,688.05) in rent for a London property that he in fact owned.

Chaytor has previously apologised "unreservedly" for what he called an "unforgivable error in my accounting procedures".

The third MP to be named was Jim Devine, who faces two charges. He is accused of claiming thousands of pounds worth of cleaning services and stationery using false invoices.

In a statement, the three Labour MPs said: "We totally refute any charges that we have committed an offence and we will defend our position robustly."

Paul White, known as Lord Hanningfield, faces six charges over allegations that he claimed expenses "to which he knew he was not entitled" including for staying overnight in London when records show he was actually driven home.

"I totally refute the charges and will vigorously defend myself against them," the peer said in a statement, adding: "All the claims I have ever made were made in good faith."

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