MPs are above the law!

[rebbonk]

Three Labour MPs charged yesterday with theft over fraudulent expense claims declared that they were above the law and would fight attempts to put them on trial.

Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine each face up to seven years in jail after Keir Starmer, QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, announced that he was charging them under the Theft Act 1968.

Lord Hanningfield, the Tory frontbencher and leader of Essex County Council, faces six charges over his expense claims.

In a joint statement, the three MPs announced that they would fight the charges by claiming parliamentary privilege over their expense claims. It said: “We maintain that this is an issue that should be resolved by the parliamentary commissioner, who is there to enforce any breach of the rules.”

More here http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7017304.ece

[rebbonk]

Politicians have urged the MPs facing charges over their expense claims not to use Parliamentary privilege to try to avoid court proceedings.

Lawyers for Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine have raised the issue of privilege.

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg said the public would be outraged by the use of the principle - which normally protects MPs from civil actions.

More here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8502026.stm

[rebbonk]

Cameron: Accused MPs Must Face Justice

David Cameron will pledge today to change the law to prevent the "disgusting sight" of MPs using parliamentary privilege in a bid to avoid prosecution for expenses abuses.

Story here http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/David-Cameron-To-Pledge-To-Change-The-Law-To-Ensure-MPs-Face-Justice-Over-Expenses-Claims/Article/201002215544438

[StevieG]

Clegg says the public would be outraged.
You have got to be joking squire as this lot has shown how low they can go to dodge the courts and we put this shower in Westminster to represent us
At least DICK TURPIN wore a mask

[rebbonk]

Cameron forces Brown into suspending MPs charged with expenses fraud

Gordon Brown today bowed to pressure to suspend three Labour MPs charged with fiddling their Parliamentary expenses after a blistering attack from David Cameron.

The Prime Minister was also forced into vowing he would pass a new law to block the use of Parliamentary privilege as a defence.

David Cameron had piled the pressure on Mr Brown by branding the attempt by the three Labour MPs to use privilege to argue they are above the law as 'disgusting'.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... party.html