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MP Conway could face new inquiry MP says Conway faces 'witch-hunt'
(about 2 hours later)
Tory MP Derek Conway, who has been reprimanded for overpaying his younger son from parliamentary money, could face more scrutiny over his elder son. Derek Conway, who is facing another investigation into his expenses, is being targeted by a "witch-hunt", a fellow Conservative MP claims.
Labour MP John Mann said he is to make a formal complaint to the Commons Standards Commissioner about payments to Henry Conway while he was a student. Mr Conway, who has been reprimanded for overpaying his younger son from parliamentary money, could face more scrutiny over his elder son.
There is no suggestion of wrongdoing over Henry Conway, but Mr Mann said he wanted his role to be clarified. But his friend, Tory Roger Gale, says Mr Conway is being labelled "guilty until he can prove himself innocent".
It comes after Mr Conway apologised unreservedly to MPs for Freddie's pay. Mr Conway now faces 10 days suspension from the House of Commons.
Derek Conway, the Old Bexley and Sidcup MP, now faces 10 days suspension from the Commons, and the committee said he should also be forced to pay back up to £13,161 of Freddie Conway's salary. The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee, which found that he overpaid his younger son Freddie, said he should be forced to pay back up to £13,161 of his son's salary.
'Antiquated' 'Antiquated' system
Henry Conway was mentioned by the Standards and Privileges Committee as having a similar research assistant role before his brother took over. Mr Conway apologised unreservedly to MPs for Freddie's pay and said he had let down his family "very badly indeed".
His elder son Henry Conway was mentioned by the committee as having a similar research assistant role before his brother took over.
If Derek Conway says his son did the hours which he said he did, I do not doubt his word Roger GaleTory MP
However, the committee was unable to clarify his role as he was not the subject of the original complaint.However, the committee was unable to clarify his role as he was not the subject of the original complaint.
Mr Mann described such procedures as "antiquated" and called for Parliament to modernise the way it makes MPs accountable. But Labour MP John Mann, who says he plans to make a formal complaint to the Commons Standards Commissioner about payments to Henry when he was a student, described such procedures as "antiquated".
He called for Parliament to modernise the way it makes MPs accountable.
He said the facts would need to be ascertained, but added if there had been overpayments to Henry Conway, his father should repay them.He said the facts would need to be ascertained, but added if there had been overpayments to Henry Conway, his father should repay them.
He also challenged Conservative leader David Cameron to take disciplinary action against Derek Conway. I have let my family down very badly indeed and no judgement from any quarter could be more harsh than that which I apply to myself Derek Conway, Tory MP class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7213485.stm">Analysis: MPs' family values class="" href="7213240">In full: Conway's response He also challenged Conservative leader David Cameron to take disciplinary action against Derek Conway.
"David Cameron is only too quick to condemn others over allegations of scandal but when it comes to his own MPs misusing taxpayers money, he has nothing to say. 'Honourable' man
"He should learn that true leadership is about principles and consistency, not just jumping on the next bandwagon for the next news bulletin." "David Cameron is only too quick to condemn others over allegations of scandal but when it comes to his own MPs misusing taxpayers money, he has nothing to say.," Mr Mann said.
I have let my family down very badly indeed and no judgement from any quarter could be more harsh than that which I apply to myself Derek Conway, Tory MP Analysis: MPs' family valuesIn full: Conway's response
But Mr Gale, MP for North Thanet, said Mr Conway was a "good constituency member of Parliament and an honourable man" who was being accused by a Labour MP with "an axe to grind".
Asked what he thought was going on, Mr Gale said: "A witch hunt."
"The fact of the matter is Derek did not keep time sheets, as I don't for my staff. When there's work to do, they do it, when there isn't, they don't," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"A man has been told he's guilty until he can prove his innocence.
"If Derek Conway says his son did the hours which he said he did, I do not doubt his word."
Computer work
Derek Conway was reprimanded by the Standards Committee after "no record" was found of Freddie Conway doing any work for him as a researcher.Derek Conway was reprimanded by the Standards Committee after "no record" was found of Freddie Conway doing any work for him as a researcher.
The student was paid more than £40,000 for his three-year employment period.The student was paid more than £40,000 for his three-year employment period.
Michael Barnbrook - whose original complaint prompted the investigation into Freddie Conway - also wants a second investigation into his brother. Retired policeman and now BNP member Michael Barnbrook - whose original complaint prompted the investigation into Freddie Conway - also wants a second investigation into his brother.
From March 2003 until Freddie Conway took over, Henry Conway was paid £10,000 per annum for 18 hours of work a week. From March 2003 until Freddie Conway took over, Henry Conway was paid about £10,000 per annum for 18 hours of work a week.
Derek Conway told the Commissioner for Standards that Henry Conway had assisted with computer work and his post, as well as helping his father to understand London issues, the correspondent adds.Derek Conway told the Commissioner for Standards that Henry Conway had assisted with computer work and his post, as well as helping his father to understand London issues, the correspondent adds.
The original complaint into Freddie Conway was made by Mr Barnbrook, a retired policeman who stood against Derek Conway as a candidate for the UK Independence Party, and is now a member of the British National Party.
Newcastle studentNewcastle student
Mr Conway paid Freddie Conway to work part time for him as a researcher while he was studying at Newcastle University - as well as receiving a salary of £11,773 a year, he was paid four one-off bonuses totalling just over £10,000.Mr Conway paid Freddie Conway to work part time for him as a researcher while he was studying at Newcastle University - as well as receiving a salary of £11,773 a year, he was paid four one-off bonuses totalling just over £10,000.
The MP said he "fully" accepted the committee's criticisms and apologised to the Commons, his constituents and his Conservative Association. The MP said he "fully" accepted the committee's criticisms and apologised to the Commons, his constituents and his Conservative Association for "administrative shortcomings and the misjudgements I made".
He told MPs: "I unreservedly apologise to the House for my administrative shortcomings and the misjudgements I made.
"I have let my family down very badly indeed and no judgement from any quarter could be more harsh than that which I apply to myself."
MPs are given allowances to run their office and pay their staff and there are no rules to stop wives, husbands, sons, daughters and other family members working for them.MPs are given allowances to run their office and pay their staff and there are no rules to stop wives, husbands, sons, daughters and other family members working for them.