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Brown warns Labour rule-breakers Blears claim unacceptable - Brown
(about 5 hours 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. Gordon Brown has described cabinet minister Hazel Blears' expenses claim as "totally unacceptable behaviour".
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 said the communities secretary had accepted it was wrong and paid the money back.
But he warned other Labour MPs they faced de-selection if they were found to have broken the rules.
Ms Blears has admitted not paying capital gains tax on the profit from selling a flat repaired with taxpayers' money and has agreed to repay £13,332.
Tackled about whether further action should be taken against Ms Blears at his monthly press conference in Downing Street, Mr Brown said: "Hazel Blears has paid the money back. She has done so on the advice of me and others.
"But she has not broken the law, she has not broken the rules of the House of Commons.
"It is unacceptable behaviour and she has accepted it as unacceptable behaviour."
'Completely unacceptable'
Pushed further on whether she should have escaped sanctions, Mr Brown added: "It was totally unacceptable behaviour. I do not support it.
"It is inappropriate for people to do it but it is not, as you will know by looking at in detail, against the law or against the rules of the House at the moment. That's why we are discussing the changes we are doing."
He also cast serious doubt on the future of government whip Margaret Moran as an MP, describing her expenses claims as "completely unacceptable".
The Luton South MP is already under investigation after spending £22,000 to pay for dry rot treatment at her partners' home in Southampton.
She has agreed to repay the money and has been backed by her local party.
But Mr Brown said any Labour MP found to have "defied the rules" will not be allowed to stand at the next election.
'Transparency'
Mr Brown said an internal party investigation was underway into the Luton South MP, adding: "The behaviour - no, it's completely unacceptable.
"The question will be debated by us as a party. The behaviour we are talking about is completely unacceptable. There's got to be a process of examining the evidence and coming to a conclusion."
The TV presenter Esther Rantzen is threatening to stand against Mrs Moran at the next general election as an anti-sleaze candidate.
Mr Brown said of proposed new arrangements for MPs' allowances: "There has got to be transparency, there has got to be proper audit."
Asked about the depth of cross-party agreement, Mr Brown replied: "I think there's a general view in principle that this is the right thing to do."
It came after a meeting with other party leaders on a "a fundamental rethink" of the allowances system - and in the wake of the resignation of Commons speaker Michael Martin over the expenses system.
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". Speaking earlier, 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.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 statementLabour 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 claimsMortgage 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.