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Election ban Devine 'devastated' Devine could trigger by-election
(about 6 hours later)
Labour MP Jim Devine has said he is "devastated" and feels "let down" after being barred from standing for the party at the next General Election. Labour MP Jim Devine has warned he may force a by-election in his Livingston constituency after being deselected by the party over his expenses claims.
The Livingston MP was deselected over his Commons expenses after an internal investigation and his appearance before the "star chamber" on Monday. He maintained he had done nothing wrong and claimed he had been "hung out to dry" after an internal investigation.
Mr Devine is allowed to hang on as a Labour MP until the election but could decide to quit early. Mr Devine said he was also considering staying on until the next election and then standing as an independent.
He was deselected over claims of £4,500 for rewiring and joinery work. He was deselected over claims of about £4,500 for rewiring and joinery work at his flat.
The MP was alleged to have submitted receipts for £2,157 of electrical work from a company that does not exist.The MP was alleged to have submitted receipts for £2,157 of electrical work from a company that does not exist.
He maintained the electrician he employed provided false information.He maintained the electrician he employed provided false information.
Office shelving It is, in truth, an ignoble ending to a relatively brief parliamentary career Brian TaylorBBC Scotland political editor class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/briantaylor/2009/06/a_political_career_shelved.html">Brian Taylor's blog
Mr Devine, 56, said the man must have been trying to avoid paying tax by providing a false VAT number, and he had notified the Commons fees office when he found out about it.Mr Devine, 56, said the man must have been trying to avoid paying tax by providing a false VAT number, and he had notified the Commons fees office when he found out about it.
Questions were also raised about 66 metres of office shelving, said to have been provided by the landlord of his local pub, for which he charged the taxpayer £2,326.Questions were also raised about 66 metres of office shelving, said to have been provided by the landlord of his local pub, for which he charged the taxpayer £2,326.
His explanations did not convince Labour's special endorsement's panel, which decided unanimously that his career should be brought to an end.His explanations did not convince Labour's special endorsement's panel, which decided unanimously that his career should be brought to an end.
But Mr Devine believes he has been "hung out to dry".
He was elected MP for Livingston in September 2005 following the death of Robin Cook.He was elected MP for Livingston in September 2005 following the death of Robin Cook.
Mr Devine had previously been Mr Cook's election agent, and had worked as head of health for the Scottish branch of the public sector union Unison.Mr Devine had previously been Mr Cook's election agent, and had worked as head of health for the Scottish branch of the public sector union Unison.
He is the fifth Labour MP to be deselected.He is the fifth Labour MP to be deselected.