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Labour MP Chaytor to stand down Labour MP Chaytor to stand down
(20 minutes later)
David Chaytor is to stand down as a Labour MP at the next election after being accused of claiming money for a mortgage he had already paid off.David Chaytor is to stand down as a Labour MP at the next election after being accused of claiming money for a mortgage he had already paid off.
Mr Chaytor was suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party pending an investigation of the allegations by an internal disciplinary panel.Mr Chaytor was suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party pending an investigation of the allegations by an internal disciplinary panel.
The Daily Telegraph says the Bury North MP took nearly £13,000 for the flat in London after it was paid off in 2004.The Daily Telegraph says the Bury North MP took nearly £13,000 for the flat in London after it was paid off in 2004.
Mr Chaytor apologised for the error and said he would repay the money owed.Mr Chaytor apologised for the error and said he would repay the money owed.
'Unforgivable error''Unforgivable error'
More than a dozen MPs have said they will quit the Commons since the expenses scandal broke three weeks ago including Elliot Morley, who faced similar allegations to Mr Chaytor.More than a dozen MPs have said they will quit the Commons since the expenses scandal broke three weeks ago including Elliot Morley, who faced similar allegations to Mr Chaytor.
Several have been forced out over controversy over their personal expenses claims.Several have been forced out over controversy over their personal expenses claims.
Mr Chaytor, who referred himself to the MPs' standards watchdog over the matter, was quoted by the Telegraph as saying he had made an "unforgivable error in my accounting procedures for which I apologise unreservedly". Mr Chaytor referred himself to the MPs' standards watchdog over the matter and said he would immediately arrange repayment to the House of Commons fees office.
He reportedly told the paper he would immediately arrange repayment to the House of Commons fees office. I have referred my case to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will co-operate fully with his inquiry David Chaytor
Mr Chaytor's wife Sheena said her husband "was very shocked when he heard" of the claims around his expenses, adding that he was "flabbergasted, he could not believe it". Announcing his decision to stand down, Mr Chaytor said he had taken the decision after talks with local and national party officials and other colleagues.
She said: "He has made a really stupid mistake. It was a mistake but I do not suppose anybody will believe that. I hope so though." His "priority" in the coming months was to "explain his errors" in relation to his expenses claims, he added.
The Telegraph also claimed Mr Chaytor "flipped" the designation of his second home six times, including once to a house registered in his son's name. "This will be time-consuming and stressful," he said.
"I have referred my case to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will co-operate fully with his inquiry".
An internal Labour party panel - dubbed the star chamber - has been considering Mr Chaytor's case and that of three other MPs facing allegations over their conduct before deciding whether they should be allowed to represent Labour at the next election.
Two of those under investigation - former minister Mr Morley and Labour South MP Margaret Moran - have already said they will be standing down as MPs while a third, Ian Gibson, has said he will step down if his constituents ask him to.
After the Daily Telegraph published its allegations against Mr Chaytor, the MP was quoted as saying he had made an "unforgivable error in my accounting procedures for which I apologise unreservedly".
His wife Sheena said her husband was "very shocked" when he heard of the claims around his expenses, arguing that he had made "a really stupid mistake".
The Telegraph also claimed Mr Chaytor - who became an MP in 1997 - "flipped" the designation of his second home six times, including once to a house registered in his son's name.
Former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt has also said she will stand down at the next election but insisted her decision had nothing to do with the expenses furore.