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Justice minister Malik steps down Justice minister Malik steps down
(10 minutes later)
Labour MP Shahid Malik has stepped down as justice minister pending an inquiry into claims about his expenses made in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.Labour MP Shahid Malik has stepped down as justice minister pending an inquiry into claims about his expenses made in the Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Standards chief Sir Philip Mawer has been asked to investigate whether the paper's claims he took subsidised rent broke the ministerial code.Standards chief Sir Philip Mawer has been asked to investigate whether the paper's claims he took subsidised rent broke the ministerial code.
Mr Malik says he stuck "a million per cent by the rules" and said some of paper's claims were a "fabrication". Mr Malik says he stuck "a million per cent by the rules" and said some of the paper's claims were a "fabrication".
And he he called for the "bloodfest" of media coverage of expenses to stop. And he called for the "bloodfest" of media coverage of expenses to stop.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked Sir Philip, his official adviser on ministerial interests, to investigate the claims as quickly as possible and his report could come within days.
Mr Brown's spokesman stressed the expectation would be that Mr Malik would return to office if he was cleared and said no replacement was being appointed in the meantime.
There is no suggestion Mr Malik broke Parliamentary rules on expenses but it his conduct as a minister which is under scrutiny.
The Daily Telegraph alleges he claimed the maximum amount allowable - £66,827 over three years - on his second home in London - but obtained a discounted rent of £100 a week on his main family home in his Dewsbury constituency, which he paid out of his own pocket.
Mr Malik has described the claim about his rent as a "fabrication".