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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Elliot Morley to stand down as MP | Elliot Morley to stand down as MP |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Former minister Elliot Morley has announced he will stand down at the next general election over his involvement in the expenses scandal. | Former minister Elliot Morley has announced he will stand down at the next general election over his involvement in the expenses scandal. |
| Mr Morley made the announcement after meeting with local Labour Party officials earlier. | Mr Morley made the announcement after meeting with local Labour Party officials earlier. |
| The Labour MP for Scunthorpe made claims totalling £16,000 for mortgage interest - 18 months after the mortgage was paid off. | |
| Mr Morley has apologised and repaid the money, blaming "sloppy accounting". | Mr Morley has apologised and repaid the money, blaming "sloppy accounting". |
| The former agriculture minister has already been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party over the allegations and referred to the party's disciplinary panel. | The former agriculture minister has already been suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party over the allegations and referred to the party's disciplinary panel. |
| Standards commissioner | Standards commissioner |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the allegations against him as "serious" - Mr Morley has said he takes full responsibility "for such sloppy accounting in a very loose and shambolic allowance system". | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has described the allegations against him as "serious" - Mr Morley has said he takes full responsibility "for such sloppy accounting in a very loose and shambolic allowance system". |
| But he has said he can prove it was a genuine mistake - he has also referred his case to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon. | But he has said he can prove it was a genuine mistake - he has also referred his case to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon. |
| The Telegraph 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. | The Telegraph 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 Morley has denied any wrongdoing and said he used the money from his Labour colleague to reduce his claim to the taxpayer. | Mr Morley has denied any wrongdoing and said he used the money from his Labour colleague to reduce his claim to the taxpayer. |
| Since the Daily Telegraph began its reports on MPs' expenses - based on leaked receipts - 13 MPs, including Speaker Michael Martin, have announced their intention to stand down - although some say it is for health or family reasons. | Since the Daily Telegraph began its reports on MPs' expenses - based on leaked receipts - 13 MPs, including Speaker Michael Martin, have announced their intention to stand down - although some say it is for health or family reasons. |