Expenses Scandal Creates Another Victim

A Scottish Labour MP accused of trying to claim dubious electrical costs on expenses has been barred from standing as a Labour candidate at the next general election.

Livingston MP Jim Devine, who was alleged to have submitted an improper invoice for a £2,157 rewiring bill, appeared before Labour's "star chamber" endorsements panel to defend his claim.

A party spokesman said: "After considering in detail the case of Jim Devine and speaking to him, the Labour Party's special NEC (national executive committee) endorsements panel today unanimously recommended rescinding his endorsement as a Labour candidate."

He continued: "As both Gordon Brown and the national executive committee have made clear, the Labour Party demands the very highest standard of its MPs."

The expenses scandal claimed its latest victim after it was revealed that full details of every MP's expenses are to be published on the Parliament website on Thursday.

Earlier, Harriet Harman's announced that she did not think MPs could continue to employ family members.

Commons Leader Ms Harman gave evidence to an inquiry by the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

She told Sir Christopher Kelly that although spouses and relatives often worked harder than other people, "I think it is almost impossible to convince the public that actually there is fair employment opportunity.

"I think my own view is that it is just too difficult to sustain public confidence."

Ms Harman also said "barracks-style" accommodation for MPs to use during the week, funded by taxpayers, would not be feasible for members with families who did not want to be separated from them between Monday and Thursday.

"It does have to be recognised that we do not want a parliament that is exclusively made up of people who are prepared to set their family life entirely on one side," she said.

The investigation by the Committee on Standards in Public Life was set up in April after details of claims started appearing in The Daily Telegraph.

Chairman Sir Christopher Kelly said the system of MPs' expenses appeared to have been "exploited for personal gain".

He has said he intends to deliver "a comprehensive set of recommendations" to clean it up.

However, he insisted the inquiry could not be rushed, and would not report before the autumn - despite Gordon Brown's suggestion it may be earlier.

All the main parties have indicated they will accept the committee's proposals for reform.

Emergency measures to prevent the most notorious expenses practices - such as "flipping" second home designation to maximise claims - have already been introduced.