Bercow bars expenses MPs’ resettlement grants
Speaker John Bercow has taken steps to prevent the three expenses MPs facing criminal charges receiving tens of thousands of pounds when they leave the Commons.
Jim Devine, Elliot Morley and David Chaytor deny charges under the Theft Act in relation to their expenses claims, as announced by the Crown Prosecution Service last week.
Usually MPs standing down from parliament are entitled to up to £65,000 to help them settle into a new life, but Mr Bercow has intervened to ensure the three expenses MPs will not be paid this grant.
The money could be “reinstituted” once the criminal proceedings are concluded, however.
Yesterday, after Gordon Brown withdrew the party whip from the trio, Mr Bercow made a brief statement to MPs explaining that the expenses MPs’ case was now a matter for the courts – meaning the sub judice rule applied.
“Once criminal proceedings are active by a charge having been made, cases before the courts shall not be referred to in any motion, debate or question,” he said.
“The House will be aware that charges have been made against three members of the House and therefore the sub-judice rule applies to their case.
“The case is therefore before the courts. The House and members would not wish to interfere with the judicial process, risk affecting the fairness of a criminal trial or, furthermore, prevent such a trial taking place.”
The Conservatives claimed a victory last night after Labour withdrew its legal support from the three expenses MPs.
Tory party chairman Eric Pickles said the prime minister had “climbed down again”.
“David Cameron took decisive action on Friday when the charges were first announced,” he said.
“Gordon Brown dithered and delayed over the weekend and as a result has yet again been left looking like he is not prepared to get to grips with this issue.”
