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Parties pledge privilege reform Tories attack PM on expenses MPs
(about 4 hours later)
Opposition parties say they will try to change the law to stop MPs charged with abusing expenses using parliamentary privilege to evade prosecution. Gordon Brown is tolerating the "disgusting sight" of MPs trying to avoid prosecution for alleged expenses abuses, David Cameron is to say.
Tory leader David Cameron will promise to introduce an act to do so if his party wins power and the Lib Dems want to amend an existing bill within days. Three Labour MPs charged with theft offences may argue parliamentary privilege means they cannot be tried.
It follows indications that three MPs charged with theft offences may argue privilege means they cannot be tried. In a speech the Tory leader will vow to change the law if he wins power to stop MPs using privilege to "evade justice".
The government has said it will change the law if needed. But No 10 accused Mr Cameron of "desperation" and said the government would change the law if needed.
However, Downing Street added it was for the courts to clarify the extent of parliamentary privilege. It was for the courts to clarify the extent of parliamentary privilege, it added.
'Disgusting sight' 'Shameless'
In a speech on Monday, the Conservative leader seek to personalise the scandal by accusing Prime Minister Gordon Brown of tolerating the "disgusting sight" of Labour MPs hiding behind parliamentary privilege.
Downing Street reacted angrily, denouncing this as a desperate attack.
Mr Cameron will call for the MPs' whips to be withdrawn saying Mr Brown is not capable of reforming the system.
Gordon Brown cannot reform the institution because he is the institution: he made it David Cameron
The Liberal Democrats want to go one step further by amending existing legislation this week in the House of Commons to ensure those charged with abuse of expenses cannot evade the law.
It is understood that lawyers for Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine may claim their expense claims are covered by a centuries-old Parliamentary privilege law, which traditionally protects them from being sued for what they say in the Commons.It is understood that lawyers for Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine may claim their expense claims are covered by a centuries-old Parliamentary privilege law, which traditionally protects them from being sued for what they say in the Commons.
Gordon Brown cannot reform the institution because he is the institution: he made it David Cameron
Politicians from all the main parties have criticised the lawyers' move.Politicians from all the main parties have criticised the lawyers' move.
The MPs - plus a Conservative peer, Lord Hanningfield - face charges of false accounting under section 17 of the Theft Act 1968. If found guilty they face a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.The MPs - plus a Conservative peer, Lord Hanningfield - face charges of false accounting under section 17 of the Theft Act 1968. If found guilty they face a maximum sentence of seven years' imprisonment.
In his speech, Cameron is expected to demand Mr Brown clarify reports that the Labour Party's official solicitor is providing the three MPs with legal advice. In his speech, Mr Cameron is expected to demand Mr Brown clarify reports that the Labour Party's official solicitor is providing the three MPs with legal advice.
He will say: "At the very least, Gordon Brown should withdraw the whip from these shameless Labour MPs. And more importantly, he should make sure this cannot ever happen again."He will say: "At the very least, Gordon Brown should withdraw the whip from these shameless Labour MPs. And more importantly, he should make sure this cannot ever happen again."
Mr Cameron is also expected to announce he has asked Tory MP Sir George Young to prepare a new Parliamentary Privilege Act.Mr Cameron is also expected to announce he has asked Tory MP Sir George Young to prepare a new Parliamentary Privilege Act.
"That we would introduce as soon as possible, to clarify the rules of parliamentary privilege to make clear that they cannot be used by MPs to evade justice.""That we would introduce as soon as possible, to clarify the rules of parliamentary privilege to make clear that they cannot be used by MPs to evade justice."
Mr Cameron will say: "Gordon Brown cannot reform the institution because he is the institution: he made it.Mr Cameron will say: "Gordon Brown cannot reform the institution because he is the institution: he made it.
"The character of his government - secretive, power-hoarding, controlling - is his character." "Look how he tolerates the disgusting sight of Labour MPs taking parliamentary privilege designed to help MPs fight for their constituents; for truth and justice and abuse it in order to save their skins and avoid prosecution for fraud and wrongdoing."
The Liberal Democrats want to go one step further by amending existing legislation this week in the House of Commons to ensure those charged with abuse of expenses cannot evade the law.
On Sunday, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the four politicians should be tried in court, as people wanted to see MPs treated like everyone else.On Sunday, Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the four politicians should be tried in court, as people wanted to see MPs treated like everyone else.
He told the BBC: "They are entitled to a fair trial and the public... would be aghast if they thought there was some special get out of jail card for Parliamentarians."He told the BBC: "They are entitled to a fair trial and the public... would be aghast if they thought there was some special get out of jail card for Parliamentarians."