Accused MPs must wait for trial decision

THREE former Labour MPs accused of fiddling their expenses will have to wait to see if they have succeeded in their final attempt to avoid criminal trials.

Former Livingston MP Jim Devine, along with David Chaytor, and Elliot Morley, deny theft by false accounting, and claim that any investigation into their expenses claims and the imposition of any sanctions "should lie within the hands of parliament".

Their case has been before the Supreme Court - the highest court in the land - over the last two days.

At the end of yesterday's proceedings the panel of nine justices reserved their decision, which will be given at a date to be announced. During the hearing, Nigel Pleming QC, representing Chaytor and Devine, told the court that the parliamentary expenses scheme was part of proceedings in the House, so the men should be protected by parliamentary privilege.

He said the House had "the power to punish, and to recover any monies wrongly claimed, and is well capable of investigating allegations, including allegations of dishonesty, made against its members".

The Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, heading a panel of three Court of Appeal judges, earlier this year upheld a ruling by a judge at Southwark Crown Court in central London that they were not protected by privilege.