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Jim Devine MP facing criminal charges over expenses

Labour MP for Livingston is to be prosecuted over his expenses, it has been revealed.

05 February 2010 10:33 GMT

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Labour MP Jim Devine says he is "astonished and devastated" after it was revealed he is to face criminal charges over his Westminster expenses claims.

The 56-year-old MP for Livingston - who has been deselected as a Labour candidate for the forthcoming general election - has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, but now faces two charges of false accounting relating to cleaning and stationery expenses.

The Crown Prosecution has decided, following a police probe into six parliamentarians, to prosecute four in total.

Jim Devine MP facing criminal charges over expenses

Watch video of Crown Prosecution Service announcement >

Two other MP's - Labour MP's Elliot Morley and David Chaytor - are to face prosecution, along with Tory peer Baron Hanningfield.

A further case is still under investigation, according to the CPS, while a case against Labour peer Lord Clarke will not go ahead.

All the charges against the parliamentarians are under section 17 of the Theft Act.  Mr Morley faces two charges, Mr Chaytor is facing three charges, while Baron Hanningfield faces six.

The two charges against Mr Devine allege that he submitted false invoices between July 2008 and April 2009.

The first charge claims Mr Devine dishonestly claimed £3,240 for cleaning services between July 2008 and April 2009. A further charge alleges he falsely claimed £5,505 for stationery in March 2009.

Commenting on the charges from his home in Blackburn, West Lothian, Mr Devine said: "I am absolutely astonished and devastated at the decision that has been taken today."

For more reaction from Jim Devine MP - including video - go here.

In a joint statement, the three Labour MP's facing charges said: "We are clearly extremely disappointed that the DPP has decided to instigate proceedings against us.

"We totally refute any charges that we have committed an offence and we will defend our position robustly. We are confident of our position and have been advised by eminent QCs.

"We maintain that this is an issue that should be resolved by the parliamentary commissioner who is there to enforce any breach of the rules.

"Clearly parliament's system of expenses is utterly discredited, but we believe there has been a complete inconsistency of approach to different individual cases.

"In defending ourselves we will continue to co-operate fully with parliamentary and legal authorities."

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, said: "A number of complaints were received by the Metropolitan Police regarding this conduct. A careful and detailed police investigation followed in a small number of cases.

"In four cases we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges and it is in the public interest to bring charges. 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 CPS's decision came a day after Sir Thomas Legg produced a damning report on the expenses scandal and the "deeply flawed" Commons system that allowed widespread abuse to take place.

Almost 400 MPs and former MPs have been ordered to repay more than £1.12 million but the audit, which covered 2004 to 2009, came in for criticism itself after retired judge Sir Paul Kennedy fully or partially upheld the appeals of 44 MPs against repayment demands.

David Coyle gives his verdict on the MPs' expenses scandal.

Has your MP been told to repay his expenses? Read the full details here.

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  1. Avatar for Graham Fraser

    1. 05 Feb 2010 11:19Graham Fraser said

    Incredible

    Report as unsuitable

  2. Default avatar

    2. 05 Feb 2010 14:45birsealmighty said

    What about taking this matter further and investigating Scottish local councillors, both in the present and the PAST.

    There are some interesting past Labour local councillor dealings having gone on in my home city of Dundee. I am sure there is some juicy fraud and financial irregularity evidence in other Scottish cities, towns and villages elsewhere! It just needs to be uncovered and proven. Now is the time for these investigations since (apart from the Glasgow Sunday Sport voters of My Grandfather voted for Labour, my Father voted for Labour so I vote for Labour voters) Labour is losing power in many Scottish areas.

    The time is now with the issue being high on the public agenda. A Scottish author would make a good bit of money from this if he or she would have the courage to take it on!

    Report as unsuitable

  3. Avatar for cable guy

    3. 06 Feb 2010 00:02cable guy said

    While all these MPs were (for years) claiming and benefiting from everything from dodgy receipts, second home refurbishments, personal capital gains and tree surgery, they were voting to send Soldiers to their death and injury, carpet bombing slaughter of hundreds of thousands of civilians and billions of war expense debt. Meanwhile the scatter cushions and table lamps, oil paintings and toilet seats were being carefully considered as suitable and wholly necessary expenditure in connection with their work. AND YOU WONDER WHY HALF THE COUNTRY DONT VOTE. 4 MPs may be take to court for false accounting, but not Tony Blair for a false war prospectus. I give up.

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