Expenses files: who are the charged four?
Updated on 05 February 2010
The three Labour MPs and Conservative peer facing criminal charges over expenses claims are vowing to clear their names. But who are they and what are they accused of?
Elliot Morley
The Labour MP for Scunthorpe served as environment minister from 2003 to 2006.
The 57-year-old ex-teacher has long been a prominent voice on agricultural issues. Before joining Tony Blair's cabinet in 1997, he was Labour party spokesman on rural affairs and animal welfare.
He faces two counts under the Theft Act 1968 of dishonestly claiming expenses.
Elliot Morley MP: two charges
The first count alleges that between April 2004 and February 2006, Mr Morley dishonestly claimed mortgage expenses of £14,428 for a house in Lincolnshire.
The second count alleges that between March 2006 and November 2007 Mr Morley dishonestly claimed mortgage expenses of £16,000 for the same property when there was no longer a mortgage on that property.
When reports about his claims emerged last May, Mr Morley admitted he had made a mistake, apologised and returned £16,000, blaming "sloppy accounting".
He also announced he would stand down from Parliament at the forthcoming election and referred himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
David Chaytor
The Bury North MP is a backbencher, who also won his seat in the 1997 Labour landslide.
David Chaytor MP: three charges
The former teacher, 60, faces three charges of false accounting. The first count alleges that in May 2006 Mr Chaytor dishonestly claimed £1,950 for computer services by using false invoices.
The second count alleges that between September 2005 and September 2006 Mr Chaytor dishonestly claimed £12,925 for renting a property in Regency Street, London, when he was in fact its owner.
The third charge alleges that between September 2007 and January 2008 Mr Chaytor dishonestly claimed £5,425, purportedly for renting a property in Bury, Lancashire, from his mother.
He has previously apologised "unreservedly" for what he called an "unforgivable error in my accounting procedures". He has paid back nearly £13,000.
He referred himself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, but was suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party. His wife called the claims a "stupid mistake".
Jim Devine
MP for Livingston, Mr Devine is a former psychiatric nurse. The 56-year-old was Robin Cook's election agent and was selected to fight the by-election caused by the former Cabinet minister's sudden death in 2005.
Jim Devine MP: two charges
He faces two charges of false accounting. The first count alleges that between July 2008 and April 2009 Mr Devine dishonestly claimed £3,240 for cleaning services using false invoices.
The second count alleges that in March 2009 Mr Devine dishonestly claimed £5,505 for stationery using false invoices.
Speaking at his home in Blackburn, West Lothian earlier, Mr Devine said: "I am absolutely astonished and devastated at the decision that has been taken today."
A former Unison official, he also referred to his trade union background and said: "I've always handed in receipts for expenses for stuff. I've tried to play by the book.
"I made a mistake with the shelving, I accept that. From my side I don't think I've done anything wrong."
Lord Hanningfield
The Conservative peer is also leader of Essex County Council. He resigned his position as a frontbench Tory business spokesman in the House of Lords earlier.
Lord Hanningfield: six charges
He faces six charges under section 17 of the Theft Act 1968 for false accounting.
The charges allege that between March 2006 and May 2009, he dishonestly submitted claims for expenses to which he knew he was not entitled.
The allegations focus on numerous claims for overnight expenses for staying in London when records show he was driven home and did not stay in the capital.
He blamed the allegations against him on a "vindictive campaign" last year and said he could justify all the claims.
