British MP’s Face Charges Over Expenses: Are We Surprised?
Keir Starmer, Director of Public Prosecutions, has said four MPs – three from the Labour party and one from the Conservatives - are facing criminal charges pertaining to their expenses, under the Theft Act.
Lord Hanningfield, David Chaytor, Jim Devine, and Elliot Morley have all denied these charges and plan to defend themselves against such accusations. John Devine has pronounced just how ‘distraught’ he is about the decision that’s been taken. Also in the same vain, Lord Clarke released a statement which expressed his relief at the ending of the probe into the claims he made which lasted for close to nine months. The claims were made under the existing Allowances Scheme of the House of Lords. He also expressed his added relief that there were no criminal charges brought against him and that he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
All of the four accused will receive summons to appear in the magistrate’s court in Westminster on 11 March and will not be held in prison.
The two charges against Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley pertain to the ￡30,000 in mortgage interest on his real estate in Winterton for three years up to 2007. Bury North MP, David Chaytor, faces charges over several dishonest claims, such as ￡1950 in Information Technology services, and ￡12925 on rent claims that he allegedly owned. John Devine, MP of Livingston, is being charged over similar dishonest claims, pertaining to cleaning services.
One concern is the role of Parliament privilege, which guarantees MPs immunity to such claims as this, including slander. The lawyers of the accused MPs feel that this privilege should extend to this case, stating that it is “an issue that the parliamentary commissioner should have dealt with and who is there to enforce any breach of the rules”.
According to the DPP, there is enough evidence for criminal charges to be brought. The DPP also feels that the public interest warrants that the persons concerned be charges. All of the accused have resigned their posts.
It is doubtful that in spite of these charges that any of these MPs will end up in prison, which is what the public may want to see. It is more than likely that a deal may be struck or the case not proven in the courts.
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