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/8071441.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Claims row MP Moran to stand down | Claims row MP Moran to stand down |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Labour MP Margaret Moran, whose expenses claims provoked widespread public anger, has announced that she will stand down at the next election. | Labour MP Margaret Moran, whose expenses claims provoked widespread public anger, has announced that she will stand down at the next election. |
| The Daily Telegraph alleged she claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot in her designated second home in Southampton - 100 miles from her constituency. | The Daily Telegraph alleged she claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot in her designated second home in Southampton - 100 miles from her constituency. |
| A Labour disciplinary panel had been due to decide whether the Luton South MP could stand for the party again. | A Labour disciplinary panel had been due to decide whether the Luton South MP could stand for the party again. |
| TV personality Esther Rantzen had also indicated she would challenge Ms Moran. | TV personality Esther Rantzen had also indicated she would challenge Ms Moran. |
| In a statement, the Labour MP said: "It is with great sadness that I have today informed the General Secretary of the Labour Party, following discussion with my family, that I intend to stand down as MP for Luton South at the next general election. | In a statement, the Labour MP said: "It is with great sadness that I have today informed the General Secretary of the Labour Party, following discussion with my family, that I intend to stand down as MP for Luton South at the next general election. |
| "However, it is very important that I make it absolutely clear that I have done nothing wrong or dishonest in relation to my claim for expenses and have at all times acted on advice from the House of Commons Fees Office in relation to my family home in Southampton. | "However, it is very important that I make it absolutely clear that I have done nothing wrong or dishonest in relation to my claim for expenses and have at all times acted on advice from the House of Commons Fees Office in relation to my family home in Southampton. |
| "It has been a privilege to serve the residents of Luton. I will work hard for my constituents until I step down as an MP at the next general election but the understandable anger in the media and amongst the public over the issue of my Parliamentary expenses has had a bruising effect upon my friends, my family and my health and it is for this reason that I have decided to stand down." | "It has been a privilege to serve the residents of Luton. I will work hard for my constituents until I step down as an MP at the next general election but the understandable anger in the media and amongst the public over the issue of my Parliamentary expenses has had a bruising effect upon my friends, my family and my health and it is for this reason that I have decided to stand down." |
| Ms Moran has been the MP for Luton South since 1997. | Ms Moran has been the MP for Luton South since 1997. |
| The House of Commons authorities have confirmed that Ms Moran's financial arrangements had cleared by the Fees Office in 2007 but they have now apologised for giving erroneous advice. | |
| In a letter to Ms Moran, copied to Labour's Chief Whip Nick Brown, the Commons' director general of resources says: "I can confirm that the advice you were given at the time was wrong." | |
| A Commons employee, Terry Bird, had "apologised for the matter" and explained to Ms Moran what action needed to be taken "to resolve this matter, the letter adds. |