Ramsbottom MP suspended by Labour Party (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ramsbottom MP suspended by Labour Party

11:30am Monday 8th February 2010

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More stories about: David Chaytor, MP's expenses

AN East Lancashire MP facing charges as part of an investigation into parliamentary expenses has been suspended by the Labour Party.

A spokesman said Bury North MP David Chaytor, whose constituency covers Ramsbottom, had been "administratively" suspended along with fellow MPs Elliot Morley and Jim Devine.

All three are being prosecuted on several counts of false accounting.

In a statement, Labour said: "The Labour Party's general secretary has ... suspended David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Elliot Morley's membership of the Labour Party in light of the serious allegations against them.

"They had already been barred from standing for Parliament as Labour candidates.

"The decision follows a formal process which included representations from the Chief Whip and consultations with party officials over the weekend and means the three MPs have been suspended from the whip and cannot attend any Labour Party meetings."

The three Labour MPs vowed to put up a robust defence after their charges were detailed by Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer on Friday.

They argue that they should have been dealt with by the Commons authorities rather than the police.

Mr Starmer said the MPs' lawyers had already indicated they were considering using parliamentary privilege as a defence.

The Prime Minister's spokesman said Mr Brown did not believe that parliamentary privilege was intended to cover issues of this nature.

"If it proves necessary, the Government has said that it will legislate to clarify this," the spokesman said.

"The Prime Minister's view is very clear - no MP is above the law."

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