Three MPs and one peer charged with false accounting

PROSECUTORS charged three MPs and one peer yesterday with false accounting over alleged abuses of the parliamentary expenses system.

“In four cases, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges and that it is in the public interest to charge the individuals concerned,” said Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer in a televised statement.

He named the four as Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine, who are Labour MPs, and Paul White, known as Lord Hanningfield, a Conservative peer.