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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Brown warns Labour rule-breakers | Brown warns Labour rule-breakers |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Any Labour MP found to have "defied the rules" with their expenses claims will not be allowed to stand at the next general election, says Gordon Brown. | Any Labour MP found to have "defied the rules" with their expenses claims will not be allowed to stand at the next general election, says Gordon Brown. |
| The prime minister also said he would be proposing "a fundamental rethink" of the allowances system at a meeting of party leaders later. | The prime minister also said he would be proposing "a fundamental rethink" of the allowances system at a meeting of party leaders later. |
| Two Labour MPs have been suspended for claiming for mortgage interest payments after their mortgages were paid off. | Two Labour MPs have been suspended for claiming for mortgage interest payments after their mortgages were paid off. |
| Some ministers have also faced questions about their expenses claims. | Some ministers have also faced questions about their expenses claims. |
| But several have said while they agree the system needs to change - their claims were made within the rules at the time. | But several have said while they agree the system needs to change - their claims were made within the rules at the time. |
| 'Highest standards' | 'Highest standards' |
| Mr Brown said MPs were elected to serve the public rather than themselves and insisted he was committed to a "complete clean-up of the system". | Mr Brown said MPs were elected to serve the public rather than themselves and insisted he was committed to a "complete clean-up of the system". |
| He added: "No minister will be in the cabinet or in the government in future if it is proven that they defied the rules." | He added: "No minister will be in the cabinet or in the government in future if it is proven that they defied the rules." |
| In a joint statement, Cath Speight, chair of Labour's ruling National Executive Committee and Ray Collins, the party's general secretary, said the NEC fully supported the prime minister. | |
| Labour Party members expect the highest standards from Labour representatives and the NEC resolved today that any allegations must be fully investigated NEC statement | |
| They added that the committee had endorsed a "tough new disciplinary process" to prevent MPs who had broken the rules from standing for parliament as Labour candidates. | They added that the committee had endorsed a "tough new disciplinary process" to prevent MPs who had broken the rules from standing for parliament as Labour candidates. |
| An NEC panel would be set up to interview MPs who were the subject of allegations, they said. | An NEC panel would be set up to interview MPs who were the subject of allegations, they said. |
| This will have the power to recommend to the NEC that MPs should not stand for the Commons under the Labour banner. | This will have the power to recommend to the NEC that MPs should not stand for the Commons under the Labour banner. |
| "Labour Party members expect the highest standards from Labour representatives and the NEC resolved today that any allegations must be fully investigated, and when appropriate by the proper independent authorities," the statement added. | "Labour Party members expect the highest standards from Labour representatives and the NEC resolved today that any allegations must be fully investigated, and when appropriate by the proper independent authorities," the statement added. |
| Mortgage claims | |
| Among Labour MPs caught up in the expenses row are former minister Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, who admitted making claims for interest on their mortgages after they had been paid off. | |
| Both have apologised, blamed it on accounting errors and have said they will repay the money. | |
| Mr Brown said their cases were being considered by the NEC and they continued to be suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party. | |
| Labour's chief whip is also looking into claims a third Labour MP, Ben Chapman, was given permission to claim interest on his entire mortgage, even after he paid off a £295,000 lump sum. | |
| Mr Chapman said he did not believe he had done anything wrong and had followed the advice of the Fees Office. | |
| Shahid Malik has stepped down as justice minister pending an inquiry into his expenses amid claims he failed to declare paying subsidised rent on his "main" home. | |
| He says he did not breach the ministerial code and he was "pleased" to have the chance to clear his name. | |
| And Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, who was accused of selling her designated second home but not paying capital gains tax on the profit, has said she will pay £13,332 on the sale. | |
| She said she had acted within the rules but was responding to public anger. | |
| Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon is also investigating earlier disclosures about the expenses claims of Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and employment minister Tony McNulty. |