Gordon Brown defends Jacqui Smith over expenses
The Prime Minister’s comments stood in stark contrast to his condemnation of communities secretary Hazel Blears’ failure to pay CGT on her second home as “totally unacceptable”. She has now repaid more than £13,000 and apologised.
He added: “I am determined to do everything that I can to make sure that the political system, the expenses system for Members of Parliament, is totally cleaned up as quickly as possible.”
Mr Brown said an investigation was underway and nobody will stand as a Labour Party candidate if they have defied the rules.
Hours later Labour MP Ben Chapman said he was standing down following allegations he overclaimed £15,000 in expenses for mortgage interest. The Wirral South MP is the first Labour MP to quit over the expenses row.
A third Conservative MP, Sir Peter Viggers, was effectively kicked out of the Commons yesterday after it emerged he had claimed £1,645 for a duck island for his pond.
Tory leader David Cameron confirmed Sir Peter had been told he could either stand down from his Gosport constituency at the next general election, or be expelled from the parliamentary party.
During Mr Brown’s visit to South Staffordshire College yesterday, he spoke to residents and students about a range of issues including crime, anti-social behaviour, school meal provision as well as expenses.
He also stressed the Government had done everything to help manufacturers.
“You saw the help we provided to LDV and you see also that we are in discussions with Jaguar Land Rover. In the region more than 10,990 businesses have received direct help from the Government,” he said.
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