Scots MP calls on the Met to investigate Laws scandal

A SCOTTISH MP has written to the Metropolitian Police asking them to investigate the expenses claims of the former Lib Dem Cabinet minister, David Laws.

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Thomas Docherty said he was asking Scotland Yard to mount a criminal investigation after Mr Laws was found guilty of six breaches of parliamentary rules by the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee.

“If this matter was not referred to the police the public would rightly ask is there one law for David Laws, and another for them,” the Labour MP said.

“If anyone else had fraudulently obtained £50,000 and their defence was that they had done it to protect their privacy, then they would rightfully have had the book thrown at them.”

Mr Laws now faces a seven-day suspension from the Commons. In a personal statement to the Commons, Mr Laws apologised for concealing the fact that he was using allowances to pay rent to his partner James Lundie, but he insisted his only motive had been to avoid being outed as gay, rather than financial profit.