Three MPs and one Tory peer will face charges over fraudulent expenses claims, says the CPS.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it is bringing charges against three MPs and one peer in connection with fraudulent expenses claims.

Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, announced today (5 February) that Labour MPs Elliot Morley, Jim Devine, David Chayter and Tory peer Lord Hanningfield will all be charged under the Theft Act. 

Mr Starmer said: “In four cases, we have concluded that there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges and that it is in the public interest to charge the individuals concerned.

“Accordingly, summonses in these cases have been obtained from the City of Westminster Magistrates Court and will now be served on the individuals in question.”

Elliot Morley, MP for Scunthorpe, has been accused of claiming more than £16,000 for a mortgage that had already been paid off; Jim Devine, MP for Livingston, is accused of faking invoices for over £5,000 of stationary; Backbencher David Chaytor, MP for Bury North, has also been accused of claiming for a mortgage that had already been paid off.

The final person to face criminal charges is Tory peer Lord Hanningfield – real name Paul White. He has been accused of dishonestly claiming for overnight expenses when evidence showed he had actually stayed at home. Although adamant he has never claimed for anything that he wasn’t entitled to, following today’s announcement by the CPS Lord Hanningfield has resigned as a Tory business affairs spokesman.

Yesterday Sir Thomas Legg published the findings of his eight month report into MPs expenses dating back to 2004 and concluded that 390 MPs should repay a total of £1.1 million back to the taxpayer.

Three MPs have been requested to pay back more than £40,000 with Labour Junior Minister Barbara Follett owing the most. She has already repaid £32,976 and yesterday told the BBC: “This has been a very sad affair, I’m very sorry about it, I did try to act as honestly as possible but where I failed, I am sorry.”

The Daily Telegraph broke the ‘Expenses Scandal’ in May 2009 and as a consequence public distrust in MPs has mounted, with many MPs either resigning immediately or announcing they will step down at the next election.

Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “It is excellent news that the CPS has decided to bring charges against these politicians. It is essential that MPs face justice, just like any normal person who had behaved like this.”

Mr Elliott added: “The taxpaying public wants to see justice done, and it is right that MPs aren’t able to simply wave repayment cheques and walk away from this.”