Finance minister resigns over expenses revelation

BRITAIN’S coalition government was dealing its first blow after David Laws, a high-profile finance minister, resigned over expenses revelations that also exposed his homosexuality.

Laws, 44, stepped down as chief secretary to the treasury after The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported he had channelled more than £40,000 (€47,100) of taxpayers’ money in rent to his long-term boyfriend.

“I do not see how I can carry out my crucial work on the budget and spending review while I have to deal with the private and public implications of recent revelations,” Laws said.