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Gibson barred from standing again | Gibson barred from standing again |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Labour backbencher Ian Gibson has been barred from standing for the party at the next general election, following questions about his expenses. | Labour backbencher Ian Gibson has been barred from standing for the party at the next general election, following questions about his expenses. |
The Norwich North MP is said to be "very upset" at the news, which follows an appearance before a disciplinary panel set up by Labour's ruling body. | The Norwich North MP is said to be "very upset" at the news, which follows an appearance before a disciplinary panel set up by Labour's ruling body. |
He reportedly claimed for a flat in which his daughter lived rent-free. | He reportedly claimed for a flat in which his daughter lived rent-free. |
MPs Margaret Moran, Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, who already said they would not stand, were also banned. | MPs Margaret Moran, Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, who already said they would not stand, were also banned. |
But they have not been expelled from the party or had the whip removed. | But they have not been expelled from the party or had the whip removed. |
As both Gordon Brown and the National Executive Committee have made clear, the Labour Party demands the very highest standard of its MPs Labour Party spokesman class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8079205.stm">Home Secretary Smith to step down class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8078558.stm">Labour MP Chaytor to stand down | |
An internal Labour party panel - dubbed the star chamber - had been considering five MPs' cases, following allegations over their expenses claims. | An internal Labour party panel - dubbed the star chamber - had been considering five MPs' cases, following allegations over their expenses claims. |
It has yet to rule on backbencher Jim Devine. | It has yet to rule on backbencher Jim Devine. |
A Labour Party spokesman said the panel had "unanimously recommended rescinding each of their endorsement as Labour candidates". | A Labour Party spokesman said the panel had "unanimously recommended rescinding each of their endorsement as Labour candidates". |
He said new prospective parliamentary candidates would be selected for their constituencies in Bury, Norwich, Scunthorpe and Luton. | He said new prospective parliamentary candidates would be selected for their constituencies in Bury, Norwich, Scunthorpe and Luton. |
He added: "As both Gordon Brown and the National Executive Committee have made clear, the Labour Party demands the very highest standard of its MPs. | He added: "As both Gordon Brown and the National Executive Committee have made clear, the Labour Party demands the very highest standard of its MPs. |
"The special NEC endorsements panel will continue to consider cases referred to it by the chief whip or the Labour Party's general secretary." | "The special NEC endorsements panel will continue to consider cases referred to it by the chief whip or the Labour Party's general secretary." |
Mr Gibson was the only MP to face the panel as the other three had already decided to stand down. | Mr Gibson was the only MP to face the panel as the other three had already decided to stand down. |
I think it was a kangaroo court Martin BoothConstituency chairman | |
It is understood he was before the panel for 25 minutes on Tuesday. | |
His constituency chairman, Martin Booth, told the BBC he was "horrified" that Mr Gibson had been barred as he felt his case was very different to the other three. | |
"I don't think this was a star chamber, I think it was a kangaroo court, I think they decided they had to make examples of people," he told the BBC. | |
"Why pick one man out who has done no more than anyone else and a lot less than many of the others? That's where I'm upset." | |
He said Gordon Brown was "trying to look tough" adding: "It is just outrageous that they have picked on Ian." | |
Mr Gibson may have been singled out as he was a "maverick" who had voted against the government on occasion and had received a lot of support in his constituency. | |
"He didn't stand down because he did not think he had done anything to stand down for," he added. | |
He said the allegations against Mr Gibson were not true, although his daughter had lived at the flat, he spent four nights a week there and had put a lot of his own money into the flat. | |
David Chaytor, who was suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party pending an investigation into his claims, had announced earlier he would be standing down. | David Chaytor, who was suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party pending an investigation into his claims, had announced earlier he would be standing down. |
He reportedly claimed nearly £13,000 for a mortgage that had already been paid off. He had apologised for "an unforgivable error in accounting procedures" and pledged to repay the money. | He reportedly claimed nearly £13,000 for a mortgage that had already been paid off. He had apologised for "an unforgivable error in accounting procedures" and pledged to repay the money. |
Elliot Morley, a former minister, was accused of claiming £16,000 for a mortgage that had been paid off - he also blamed "sloppy accounting", apologised and repaid the money. | Elliot Morley, a former minister, was accused of claiming £16,000 for a mortgage that had been paid off - he also blamed "sloppy accounting", apologised and repaid the money. |
He announced on Friday that he would be standing down at the next general election. | He announced on Friday that he would be standing down at the next general election. |
Margaret Moran's reported £22,500 claim for dry rot at her Southampton home - 100 miles from her Luton constituency - had been widely criticised and prompted TV presenter Esther Rantzen to consider running against her. | Margaret Moran's reported £22,500 claim for dry rot at her Southampton home - 100 miles from her Luton constituency - had been widely criticised and prompted TV presenter Esther Rantzen to consider running against her. |
She maintained she had done "nothing wrong or dishonest" but said she understood people's anger and had decided to step down. | She maintained she had done "nothing wrong or dishonest" but said she understood people's anger and had decided to step down. |