MP Jim Devine: Theft charges are "misunderstanding"

Feb 11 2010 by kbarrSUN, West Lothian Courier

Jim Devine

SHAMED MP Jim Devine claimed this week that charges of theft against him were a “misunderstanding” not a crime and he was not “above the law.”

The Labour MP said he was “devastated” by the allegations of false accounting and there was no doubt his party had “hung him out to dry”.

But he denied he was trying to hide behind parliamentary privilege legislation that would make him immune from prosecution, saying he was being unfairly singled out.

He said it is simply not right that while some MPs were made to pay back thousands of pounds, he had been charged by police.

The MP for Livingston was charged on Friday with two offences of false accounting after it was alleged he claimed £3240 for cleaning services and £5505 for stationery using false invoices in 2008 and 2009.

He was also suspended from the Labour Party on Monday and faces up to five years in jail if found guilty.

The politician told the Courier yesterday: “I am absolutely devastated, I referred myself to the police over the allegations surrounding the shelving and electrical work and was the only MP who handed over all the receipts to the police, who told me there was no case to answer.

“This came completely out of left field, one of the receipts relates to three weeks after I referred myself to the police, I am not going to be stupid enough to hand in a dodgy receipt three weeks after I know the police are going through my receipts.”

Mr Devine also said he was not trying to escape by hiding behind parliamentary privilege, but said he felt he was not being treated equally with his fellow MPs.

He continued: “We are not above the law, but this is a misunderstanding and not a crime.

“Sir Thomas Legg looked at all my expenses bar the electrical work and shelving and he gave me the all-clear.

“You are innocent until proven guilty and there is no doubt that I have been hung out to dry.

“From my side I would like to be treated like other MPs, I don’t understand why I am being treated differently.

“There should be strong rules that should be placed on everyone.”