Morley to 'prove' claim was error

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Ex-minister Elliot Morley, suspended by Labour following reports about his expenses, has told the BBC that he can prove he did not over-claim on purpose.

The Parliamentary Labour Party took action against Mr Morley after he claimed £16,000 for a mortgage that had already been paid off.

Mr Morley said he was sorry for making the claim, but promised that "I will demonstrate that it was a mistake".

He was discussing his future with his local party and his family, he added.

'Quite understand'

Mr Morley, who is MP for Scunthorpe, has already referred himself to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon in an effort to clear his name. According to the Daily Telegraph, he claimed £800 a month for a Scunthorpe property for 18 months after the mortgage ended. He insists that he paid the money back.

He told the BBC: "I made a mistake. I apologise for that and I take full responsibility for it. But I will demonstrate that it was a mistake."

I made a mistake. I apologise for that and I take full responsibility for it Elliot Morley

Mr Morley said he could "quite understand" the public's anger and apologised "unreservedly".

He has not had the whip withdrawn, which would effectively expel him from the Parliamentary party - but Labour chief whip Nick Brown has made it clear that he faces expulsion if he fails to clear his name.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the decision to suspend him was taken because of the "serious" nature of the allegations.

Labour has also referred his case to its special endorsement panel - a new disciplinary body.

He has also been suspended as the prime minister's climate envoy and will not draw his salary as chairman of the energy and climate select committee.

Financial arrangements

The Telegraph has also alleged that Mr Morley rented out a London flat designated as his main residence to another Labour MP, Ian Cawsey, a close friend and former special adviser.

Mr Cawsey named the property as his second home, allowing him to claim £1,000 a month to cover the rent which he was charged by Mr Morley.

In November 2007, the newspaper claims, Mr Morley "flipped" his designated second home from his Scunthorpe property to his London home and for four months the two men claimed expenses on the same property.

The Commons fees office stopped the arrangement. Mr Cawsey said he had been unaware of Mr Morley's financial arrangements.

Mr Morley issued a lengthy explanation of his arrangement with Mr Cawsey in which he denied any wrongdoing and said he used the money from his Labour colleague to reduce his claim to the taxpayer.