Expenses MP attacks media reports

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A Labour MP facing criminal charges over his expenses has said he is the victim of "selective reporting and outlandish claims" by the media.

David Chaytor insisted he had received no money to which he was not entitled.

One of four parliamentarians facing criminal charges over expenses, Mr Chaytor is alleged to have dishonestly obtained more than £20,000.

The MP for Bury North, said his circumstances were "extremely complex, calling his experiences "shattering".

'Thrown to wolves'

Mr Chaytor is facing three charges under the Theft Act, relating to claims for rent and IT services. He is alleged to have used false invoices.

In a statement, he said: "After all these months of selective reporting and outlandish claims, I now look forward to explaining the details of my case to the authorities."

His personal circumstances at the time had been "extremely complex" and not something he could "explain away in a soundbite", the MP said.

There has been no loss to the taxpayer as a result of any error of mine David Chaytor, Labour MP

Mr Chaytor is due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on 11 March

He promised to fight for a "fair hearing", saying: "Throwing a few people to the wolves won't solve the deeper problems of the parliamentary expenses system.

"I am clear that, to the best of my belief, I have not received any payment in excess of that for which I was eligible.

"There has been no loss to the taxpayer as a result of any error of mine."

He also accused the media of trying to "whip up" claims that he the other politicians facing charges would "claim immunity from prosecution" by using the legal defence of parliamentary privilege.

Mr Chaytor, who was suspended by Labour on Monday, had already been barred from standing again for the party at the next general election.

He described his suspension as "entirely understandable".

Two other Labour MPs - Elliot Morley and Jim Devine - and Tory peer Lord Hanningfield were also charged last week. All four deny charges and all have been stripped of the whip by their parties.

Mr Morley, in his local newspaper the Scunthorpe Telegraph on Wednesday, criticised the Commons' suspension of the MPs' "golden goodbyes". He said the move went against "natural justice".

MPs leaving Parliament at an election are usually entitled to a resettlement grant worth up to a year's salary - just under £65,000 - depending on age and length of service.

But Commons Speaker John Bercow has directed that the payments due to the three MPs charged be withheld until criminal proceedings are concluded.