Another one bites the dust

Former Labour MP Jim Devine is set to go on trial on Wednesday accused of fiddling his parliamentary expenses. The former MP for Livingston is accused of falsely claiming costs for parliamentary duties in March 2009. 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. Mr Devine, 57, of West Main Street, Bathgate, West Lothian, is on bail. He will appear before Mr Justice Saunders at London’s Southwark Crown Court. – Press Association

Former Labour MP Jim Devine’s trial over his expenses claims is due to start at Southwark Crown Court later. Mr Devine, 57, faces two charges of dishonestly claiming for cleaning and stationery, involving claims totalling £8,745. Mr Devine, who denies the charges, became MP for Livingston at a by-election in 2005, triggered by the death of Robin Cook. He stood down as an MP at the 2010 general election. Before becoming an MP, Mr Devine was the late foreign secretary’s election agent between 1983 and 2005. – BBC News (more…)