MP asks Police to investigate expenses claims

Jun 11 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

WEST Lothian MP Jim Devine has asked cops to investigate him in a bid to clear his name after becoming embroiled in allegations of wrongdoing concerning his parliamentary expenses.

The Livingston Labour MP told the Courier he has approached senior police officers and asked them to investigate his expenses claims.

Mr Devine has faced close scrutiny in recent weeks over two claims he has made since replacing Robin Cook as MP in 2005.

It emerged he paid £2157 for electrical work carried out at his London home to a firm that had a false VAT number and non-existent address.

Mr Devine also claimed £2326 to pay friend Tony Moran, publican of Blackburn’s Moran’s Turf Bar, to install 66 metres of shelving at his London flat.

It was reported that disgruntled party members in Livingston wanted to report the MP to police, accusing him of “fraud and embezzlement”.

But the politician told the Courier he had called the cops in himself to end the speculation surrounding him.

He said: “I spoke to police officers to see if I was being investigated for fraud and a senior officer confirmed I wasn’t.

“So I have asked if it is possible for them to check the allegations that have been made against me.

“I am sick and tired of the allegations and half-truths. It has had a big impact on me, my family and my friends.

“It is time to clear this nonsense once and for all. When the police investigate this I will be vindicated.”

Mr Devine has still to face his party’s special National Executive Committee endorsements panel next week over the claims relating to his expenses.

The beleaguered politician could lose his ticket to stand at the next General Election if the panel find him guilty of abusing the system.

But the Labour MP said he would face the panel with confidence after winning the backing of his local party at a meeting of Livingston constituency members on Sunday.

Mr Devine added: “It was the first opportunity I have had to present my case. I thought it was a very positive, open and honest meeting.

“I gave them my response to the allegations that have been made and I got their unanimous support and endorsement.“

However, one Labour party member who attended the meeting described it as “bizarre”.

They claimed that Mr Devine told the meeting the shelving was not in his London flat but in a lock-up at his Blackburn home.

They said: “He claimed it was for storing Labour Party boards and posters but I was not convinced.

“I think a few people would have liked to have said more but they were a bit wary of putting their heads above the parapet.”

When the Courier asked Mr Devine if he stood by the statement he gave us last week regarding the location of the shelving he would only say: “This is now subject to a police investigation. I have made my position clear.”