signalnorth
17-06-2009, 11:23 AM
Given that the UK Police/ CPS seems very reluctant to prosecute any MP's because of a 'lack of evidence' then surely they should consider this following case. An MP made up a a non-existent firm for work done! If this this isn't misappropriation of public funds then what the hell is going on? Read below:-
LABOUR last night banned expenses row MP Jim Devine from fighting the next election for the party.
A special disciplinary committee deselected the Livingston MP over allegations that he made £4500 worth of dodgy claims.
Devine pleaded his case in front of the three-man "star chamber" panel on Monday. But at 7pm yesterday, he got a phone call telling him they had voted unanimously to kick him out.
He is the third Labour MP, and the first from a Scots constituency, to be deselected over expenses claims.
Shocked Devine told the Record: "I am absolutely shattered. I have been hung out to dry by the party. This has been a kangaroo court. I feel very let down."
Devine said he would take some time to decide whether to quit immediately or stay on until the election .
Pressure had been mounting on Devine over two claims he made for work at his London flat and office.
He sent the taxpayer a s2157 bill for rewiring the flat, but it was claimed that the invoice had an invalid VAT number and a false address.
Devine had also been asked to justify a s2326 claim for having shelves put up at his office.
Standards
The work was done by one of his friends, pub landlord and former joiner Tony Moran. Ex-union official Devine took over his seat after Robin Cook's death in 2005.
He denied all wrongdoing, and his local party backed him last week.
Two other Labour MPs, former minister Elliot Morley and Scots-born Norwich MP Ian Gibson, had already been deselected over their expenses.
A Labour spokesman said a new candidate for Livingston would be chosen as soon as possible. He added: "As both Gordon Brown and the National Executive Committee have made clear, the Labour Party demands the very highest standards of its MPs."
Harman Warning: Page 9
LABOUR last night banned expenses row MP Jim Devine from fighting the next election for the party.
A special disciplinary committee deselected the Livingston MP over allegations that he made £4500 worth of dodgy claims.
Devine pleaded his case in front of the three-man "star chamber" panel on Monday. But at 7pm yesterday, he got a phone call telling him they had voted unanimously to kick him out.
He is the third Labour MP, and the first from a Scots constituency, to be deselected over expenses claims.
Shocked Devine told the Record: "I am absolutely shattered. I have been hung out to dry by the party. This has been a kangaroo court. I feel very let down."
Devine said he would take some time to decide whether to quit immediately or stay on until the election .
Pressure had been mounting on Devine over two claims he made for work at his London flat and office.
He sent the taxpayer a s2157 bill for rewiring the flat, but it was claimed that the invoice had an invalid VAT number and a false address.
Devine had also been asked to justify a s2326 claim for having shelves put up at his office.
Standards
The work was done by one of his friends, pub landlord and former joiner Tony Moran. Ex-union official Devine took over his seat after Robin Cook's death in 2005.
He denied all wrongdoing, and his local party backed him last week.
Two other Labour MPs, former minister Elliot Morley and Scots-born Norwich MP Ian Gibson, had already been deselected over their expenses.
A Labour spokesman said a new candidate for Livingston would be chosen as soon as possible. He added: "As both Gordon Brown and the National Executive Committee have made clear, the Labour Party demands the very highest standards of its MPs."
Harman Warning: Page 9