Politicians face charges

FOUR British politicians pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of false accounting over their expenses, an issue that has tarnished the image of major parties ahead of this year’s election.

The case is the first criminal prosecution stemming from a wider scandal that erupted last year over MPs’ expenses that angered voters and tainted both Labour and the Conservatives.

The four are Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine, who are Labour MPs, and Lord Hanningfield, a Conservative peer.

After a brief appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court all four were released on unconditional bail and ordered to appear before a higher court on March 30.