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Tories attack PM on expenses MPs Tories attack PM in expenses row
(about 3 hours later)
Gordon Brown is tolerating the "disgusting sight" of MPs trying to avoid prosecution for alleged expenses abuses, David Cameron is to say.Gordon Brown is tolerating the "disgusting sight" of MPs trying to avoid prosecution for alleged expenses abuses, David Cameron is to say.
Three Labour MPs charged with theft offences may argue parliamentary privilege means they cannot be tried.Three Labour MPs charged with theft offences may argue parliamentary 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 Tory leader will vow in a speech to change the law if he wins power to stop MPs using privilege to "evade justice".
But No 10 accused Mr Cameron of "desperation" and said the government would change the law if needed. But Number 10 accused Mr Cameron of "desperation" and said the government would change the law if needed.
It was for the courts to clarify the extent of parliamentary privilege, it added.It was for the courts to clarify the extent of parliamentary privilege, it added.
'Shameless''Shameless'
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 the 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. Gordon Brown cannot reform the institution because he is the institution: he made it David Cameron
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. They all deny the charges.
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.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 which "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.
"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.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."