Three MPs and one peer to be charged over expenses

[AtW]

"Three Labour MPs and one Tory peer will face criminal charges over their expenses, Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer has said.

MPs Elliot Morley, Jim Devine, David Chaytor and Lord Hanningfield will be charged under the Theft Act."

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8499590.stm

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Good start! The case will surely fail in court though

[swamp]

I hope they get legal aid.

[DiscoStu]

The expenses enquiry has cost more than has been repaid

[BA to the Stars]

Only 3 MP's out of over 300 who have had to repay.

Show trail to satisfy the suckers - I mean electorate

[AtW]

"Three MPs said today that they planned to dispute the right of the courts to try them over their expenses claims after they learnt that they are to face prosecution.

The Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine, as well as Lord Hanningfield, a Tory frontbencher and leader of Essex County Council, face up to seven years in jail for theft. They are expected to stand trial later this year after a nine-month police investigation. "

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle7016485.ece

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Interesting defense, but not the one an innocent man would take (in these circumstances) in my view...

[BA to the Stars]

With a cynical head on

1) - Have these MP's announced in the past that they plan to stand down at the next election?

2) - Do they represent what is perceived to be safe labour seats (if such a thing still exists)?

[VectraMan]

Only 3 MP's out of over 300 who have had to repay.

Show trail to satisfy the suckers - I mean electorate

Apparently one was claiming for a mortgage despite having paid it off, and another was claiming for accomodation on nights that he was driven home. And another created false invoices. That's obtaining money by deception, which is rather different than claiming expenses for things that they probably shouldn't have.

[AtW]

Apparently one was claiming for a mortgage despite having paid it off, and another was claiming for accomodation on nights that he was driven home. And another created false invoices. That's obtaining money by deception, which is rather different than claiming expenses for things that they probably shouldn't have.

parliamentary privilege

[oversteer]

With a cynical head on

1) - Have these MP's announced in the past that they plan to stand down at the next election?

Chaytor, Morley, Devine - Suspended by Labour party so cannot stand
Lord Hanningfield - Life peer, but has resigned Tory post

2) - Do they represent what is perceived to be safe labour seats (if such a thing still exists)?

Chaytor - Bury North - 6.6% margin over Tories
Morley - Scunthorpe - 27% margin over Tories
Devine - Livingston - 9% margin over SNP

[BA to the Stars]

Only Scunthorpe would be considered a safe seat then.

If found guilty, hopefully they will be treated the same way as if any other member of the public would be e.g. you or I, if we were convicted of the same charges.

I just wonder if they will claim that they cannot get a fair trail due to all the media coverage that has taken place.