Malik quits ministerial role amid expenses probe

Shahid Malik is stepping down as British Justice Minister pending the outcome of an urgent investigation into claims that he paid only a subsidised rent on one of his homes.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked his independent adviser on ministerial interests, Philip Mawer, to investigate the claims as quickly as possible and his report could come within days.

Mr Brown’s spokesman stressed the expectation would be that Mr Malik would return to office if he was cleared and said no replacement was being appointed in the meantime.

Mawer could report back within days.