< Back to previous page

Three expenses scandal MPs to receive legal aid

Published on 13 Apr 2010 under category: legal

Legal aid should be given to three MPs accused of theft by false accounting, the court has ruled.

Elliot Morley, Jim Devine and David Chaytor can receive legal help.

Between them, the three Labour backbenchers are accused of falsely claiming mortgage interest payments, rent and services, which are estimated to amount to around £60,000.

They are using 'parliamentary privilege' as a defence and have threatened to take their case to the Supreme Court.

The application for legal aid comes ahead of government reforms to introduce means-testing across the country and abolish the funding from June onwards.

In a statement to journalists, a spokesperson for Gordon Brown said that a court order might be given to the MPs after the case ends to claim the money back.

Even if such a court order is not made, the public would expect the MPs to voluntarily give the money back.

If you require advice on Insolvency and Bankruptcy please call us on +44 (0)20 7831 0101 and ask for Katherine Sillett.