Tory MP stands down over expenses row

Published on Thursday 15 October 2009 22:07

CONSERVATIVE MP David Wilshire became the latest victim of the expenses scandal last night, when he announced his resignation.

He had been under pressure from his Surrey constituents after reports that he channelled 100,000 in expense claims into a firm owned by him and his partner.

The reports came in the wake of Sir Thomas Legg's audit into the expenses claims of MPs.

In a statement, Mr Wilshire said: "The allegations made are deeply hurtful and unjustified. However, my constituents rightly want reassurance and the truth. This is why I have referred this to the commissioner. I am confident he will confirm that I have done nothing wrong.

"That said, the allegations and investigation will cause great distress to my family and friends. These allegations also run the risk of harming our national party's chances of winning at the general election. In the circumstances, I have reluctantly concluded it is sensible for me not to seek re-election next year."

Meanwhile, Commons leader Harriet Harman has contradicted Gordon Brown's tough stance on expenses by appearing to suggest MPs challenge any unfair demands. Sir Thomas sparked fury among MPs by announcing a retrospective 2,000 annual limit on cleaning bills and 1,000 on gardening for second homes.

Ms Harman said MPs' claims had to be judged "by the rules and standards obtained at the time".

However, the Home Secretary said MPs should pay back whatever sums Sir Thomas demanded from them.

Last night, Alan Johnson said: "Legg is part of the solution, not the problem. People should just pay the money back and pay it quickly. We are never going to restore trust in British politics until this episode is over."

He added: "The public expect an independent audit of these accounts, and when the independent auditor says pay it back, you pay it back. End of story."

Mr Brown's spokesman earlier said it was important to look at the issue of expenses "in the past tense". He said: "This is about the old system and he would encourage people to respond to the letters Sir Thomas has sent to them individually, and if there are questions to be raised, to raise them with Sir Thomas and then to move on."

Ms Harman, however, suggested MPs should challenge Sir Thomas if they thought his judgment was wrong. She told the Commons: "

If they think there is an inaccuracy in his proposal, or they think he is not judging them by the rules and standards that obtained at the time, no doubt they will point that out."

Mr Brown's spokesman later denied any difference of opinion between the Prime Minister and Ms Harman, saying both understood the need to restore public confidence in the system.

However, the Labour back-bencher Claire Curtis-Thomas said colleagues were delivering a "pretty damning" verdict of the Premier, who appeared "cowed" after becoming entangled in the expenses fiasco himself.

Mr Brown brushed off the criticism. "Members of Parliament proved the self-regulation system did not work," he said. "

"I'm just determined to clean up politics."