This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7866267.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MP Conway apologises for payments MP Conway apologises for payments
(about 7 hours later)
MP Derek Conway has apologised "without qualification" after he was ordered to return £3,757 of taxpayers' money paid to his elder son Henry.MP Derek Conway has apologised "without qualification" after he was ordered to return £3,757 of taxpayers' money paid to his elder son Henry.
He also asked to withdraw comments made last week in which he accused Labour of using his story to deflect attention from the row over money paid to peers.He also asked to withdraw comments made last week in which he accused Labour of using his story to deflect attention from the row over money paid to peers.
Mr Conway told the Commons he accepted "without any reservation" that he had breached the rules of the House.Mr Conway told the Commons he accepted "without any reservation" that he had breached the rules of the House.
The MP was expelled from the Tory Party last year. The MP was expelled from the Conservative Party last year.
He was ejected after being ordered to return £13,161 paid to his younger son Freddie to work as a researcher while he was a student in Newcastle.He was ejected after being ordered to return £13,161 paid to his younger son Freddie to work as a researcher while he was a student in Newcastle.
Radio commentsRadio comments
Last week, the Commons' Standards and Privileges Committee said Mr Conway had made a "serious lapse of judgement" in overpaying Henry for work he did in 2004.Last week, the Commons' Standards and Privileges Committee said Mr Conway had made a "serious lapse of judgement" in overpaying Henry for work he did in 2004.
Mr Conway insisted then that he had "complied with the rules which existed at the time" and said the committee had given a "subjective opinion, made with hindsight".Mr Conway insisted then that he had "complied with the rules which existed at the time" and said the committee had given a "subjective opinion, made with hindsight".
But on Monday he told the committee's chairman Sir George Young he apologised "without qualification".Henry Conway worked for his father Derek in 2004But on Monday he told the committee's chairman Sir George Young he apologised "without qualification".Henry Conway worked for his father Derek in 2004
"Will you accept that I repeat without qualification the apology I've already given you in writing and say that I accept without any reservation the committee's conclusion that I breached a rule of the House," he said."Will you accept that I repeat without qualification the apology I've already given you in writing and say that I accept without any reservation the committee's conclusion that I breached a rule of the House," he said.
Mr Conway also withdrew comments made to LBC Radio last Thursday, in which he said the Labour Party was trying to get the peers row "off the front pages".Mr Conway also withdrew comments made to LBC Radio last Thursday, in which he said the Labour Party was trying to get the peers row "off the front pages".
He also suggested to the station that his case had attracted particular scrutiny because Henry was gay and had a "flamboyant" nature.He also suggested to the station that his case had attracted particular scrutiny because Henry was gay and had a "flamboyant" nature.
Following Mr Conway's remarks to the House, Sir George replied: "I'm very grateful to you. It means I can discard the next three pages of my speech."Following Mr Conway's remarks to the House, Sir George replied: "I'm very grateful to you. It means I can discard the next three pages of my speech."
Mr Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has said he will stand down at the next general election.Mr Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has said he will stand down at the next general election.