Jim Devine dismisses reports of expenses investigation

Nov 26 2009 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON MP Jim Devine denied claims this week that he has been under investigation by the Metropolitan Police over his expenses claims.

It was reported on Tuesday that officers investigating allegations of expenses fraud among MPs had referred four politicians to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Mr Devine (56) had been named by a number of newspapers as one of one the MPs under investigation by Scotland Yard.

But yesterday (Wednesday), a spokeswoman for Mr Devine said: “He has not been interviewed by the police and he has not been charged.”

A Met spokesman added: “The Metropolitan Police Service had delivered four main files of evidence relating to parliamentary expenses to the Crown Service.

“The files relate to four people, from both the House of Lords and the House of Commons and will now be subject to CPS consideration on whether there should be any charges.”

Mr Devine found himself under pressure earlier this year to explain invoices he submitted for electrical work worth £2157 carried out by a company with an allegedly false address and VAT number.

Meanwhile this week the MP challenged an unfair dismissal claim made by a former employee and was reportedly criticised for his failure to comply with the hearing.

The Labour MP's former office manager, Marion Kinley, 45, was awarded a claim of unfair dismissal in August this year, claiming her contract was breached while working for Mr Devine.

Mr Devine appeared before an employment tribunal for a review hearing to challenge the decision by employment judge Ian McFatridge.

In August the judge dismissed the MP's response on a technicality because it was incorrectly presented. Mr Devine denies all the claims against him.