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Conway case 'reported to police' Tory whip withdrawn from Conway
(about 2 hours later)
Tory MP Derek Conway faces a possible police investigation after a Liberal Democrat candidate wrote to the Metropolitan Police. Tory leader David Cameron has expelled MP Derek Conway from the Westminster party after he was reprimanded over payments to his younger 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. The decision was made as Mr Conway faces more scrutiny over his elder son and a possible police inquiry.
Duncan Borrowman, a Lib Dem candidate in Mr Conway's seat, has asked police to probe the MP's activities. Mr Cameron said he had personally decided to withdraw the whip after asking chief whip Patrick McLoughlin to speak to Mr Conway on Tuesday.
Tory MP Roger Gale described the focus on Mr Conway as "a witch-hunt". Mr Conway said the decision was "understandable, if not inevitable".
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.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.
Labour funding investigatorLabour funding investigator
Mr Conway apologised unreservedly to MPs for "administrative shortcomings and the misjudgements I made" over Freddie's employment and pay and said he had let down his family "very badly indeed".Mr Conway apologised unreservedly to MPs for "administrative shortcomings and the misjudgements I made" over Freddie's employment and 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.
Labour MP John Mann says he plans to make a formal complaint to the Commons Standards Commissioner about payments to Henry when he was a student. In a statement, Mr Cameron said: "The usual procedure in these cases is to leave the punishment to the House of Commons authorities.
Now Mr Borrowman, the Lib Dems' candidate for Mr Conway's Old Bexley and Sidcup seat, has written to the police officer leading the investigation into Labour funding, Acting Commander Nigel Mawer, to look into the committee's findings. "However, having asked the chief whip to speak again to Mr Conway and having personally reflected overnight, I have decided to withdraw the Conservative whip from Mr Conway."
The whip ensures MPs vote in the way the party wants them to at important divisions. If the whip is withdrawn from an MP, it leaves him isolated in Parliament and effectively makes him an independent MP.
The office of Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon confirmed he now "considering" a complaint from Labour MP John Mann in relation to Mr Conway's payment of sums from his MP's staffing allowance to his elder son Henry.
Duncan Borrowman, the Lib Dems' candidate for Mr Conway's Old Bexley and Sidcup seat, has also written to the police officer leading the investigation into Labour funding, Acting Commander Nigel Mawer, to look into the committee's findings.
However, a Scotland Yard spokesman said the Metropolitan police have not received a complaint about Mr Conway yet.However, a Scotland Yard spokesman said the Metropolitan police have not received a complaint about Mr Conway yet.
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
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". Roger Gale, Tory 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. "A man has been told he's guilty until he can prove his innocence," 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.""If Derek Conway says his son did the hours which he said he did, I do not doubt his word."
Computer workComputer work
Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, told the BBC there should be a "root and branch reform of MP's pay and allowances".
Mr Conway was reprimanded by the Standards Committee after "no record" was found of Freddie Conway doing any work for him as a researcher.Mr 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.
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 fullCameron 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.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.
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.
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.