Expenses Accused Deny Charges

Four Parliamentarians have denied criminal charges relating to their expenses claims.

Labour MPs Jim Devine, Elliot Morley, David Chaytor appeared in court today, alongside Tory peer Lord Hanningfield, accused of false accounting.

The four men were given unconditional bail and are due to appear again at Southwark Crown Court on 30 March.

All have been suspended from their parties while proceedings are active.

A police investigation into expenses claims was launched following revelations in the Daily Telegraph last year.

Officers brought charges against the four politicians last month.

The have been accused of offences under section 17 of the Theft Act 1968 and if found guilty they face a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.

Barrister for the three MPs Julian Knowles provided a statement to reporters outside court this afternoon.

It said his clients "unequivocally and steadfastly maintain their innocence of the charges against them".

The statement continued: "They also maintain that to prosecute them in the criminal courts for Parliamentary activities would infringe the principle of the separation of powers, which is one of the principles which underpin the UK's constitutional structure.

"The principle of the separation of powers means that whatever matter arises concerning the workings of Parliament should be dealt with by Parliament and not elsewhere and should be dealt with in a manner that is consistent with the way other members have been treated."

Parliamentary privilege provides all members of the Commons and Lords protection over anything they say within the chambers.

It grants them immunity from laws usually associated with slander and defamation.

Lord Hanningfield's spokesman Mark Spragg said his client had "devoted the last 40 years of his life to public service".

"He is devastated to be in this position. He feels he has been singled out. He does not believe that he has done anything dishonest."

(PR/BMcC)