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MP says Conway faces 'witch-hunt' Conway case 'reported to police'
(30 minutes later)
Derek Conway, who is facing another investigation into his expenses, is being targeted by a "witch-hunt", a fellow Conservative MP claims. Tory MP Derek Conway faces a possible police investigation after a Liberal Democrat candidate wrote to the Metropolitan Police.
Mr Conway, who has been reprimanded for overpaying his younger son from parliamentary money, could face more scrutiny over his elder son. Mr Conway, reprimanded by MPs on Monday for paying his younger son too much for working as his researcher, could also face more scrutiny over his elder son.
But his friend, Tory Roger Gale, says Mr Conway is being labelled "guilty until he can prove himself innocent". Duncan Borrowman, a Lib Dem candidate in Mr Conway's seat, has asked police to probe the MP's activities.
Tory MP Roger Gale described the focus on Mr Conway as "a witch-hunt".
The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee, which found that Mr Conway overpaid his younger son Freddie, said he should be forced to pay back up to £13,161 of his son's salary.
Mr Conway now faces 10 days suspension from the House of Commons.Mr Conway now faces 10 days suspension from the House of Commons.
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' system'Antiquated' system
Mr Conway apologised unreservedly to MPs for Freddie's pay and said he had let down his family "very badly indeed".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.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 Conway statement to MPsIf Derek Conway says his son did the hours which he said he did, I do not doubt his word Roger GaleTory MP Conway statement to MPs
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.
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".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 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.He also challenged Conservative leader David Cameron to take disciplinary action against Derek Conway.
'Honourable' man'Honourable' man
"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."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 responseI 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".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."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."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."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.""If Derek Conway says his son did the hours which he said he did, I do not doubt his word."
Computer workComputer 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.
Cameron might be tempted to make an example but would be taking on a powerful coalition BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
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.
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.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.
Cameron might be tempted to make an example but would be taking on a powerful coalition BBC political editor Nick Robinson Read Nick's thoughts in full
From March 2003 until Freddie Conway took over, Henry Conway was paid about £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.
Newcastle 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 for "administrative shortcomings and the misjudgements I made".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".
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.