by political editor Paul Francis

MPs who deliberately broke rules on allowances in a way that could be fraudulent should be investigated by the police, a Kent Labour MP says.

Dr Steve Ladyman, the Thanet South MP, who is also a vice chairman of the Labour party, said MPs were not above the law and should face the same consequences as anyone else suspected of fraud.

He said: "I do think the law and police action should apply to MPs in the same way they apply to everyone else. If you can show someone has committed fraud, they should face the consequences."

His comments come as futher damaging revelations about various claims were published. Labour MP Elliot Morley is under fire after claiming £16,000 for a mortage that did not exist.

Dr Ladyman said: "When it is a misinterpretation of the rules or a matter of something claimed in good faith an internal inquiry is perfectly acceptable.

"But if it seems to have involved someone saying, for example, they have a mortgage when they don't or have changed their arrangements to avoid capital gains tax, then other authorities should be involved."

He said it was important MPs should face the same action employees in other walks of life might have to for committing fraud. He stressed he was not making a judgement about any individuals and said MPs were entitled to a fair hearing to give their side of the case.

The Thanet South MP also said he planned to publish his allowances receipts on the internet ahead of the scheduled publication by the Commons' authorities.

Tony Lloyd, the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, has written to all MPs urging them to publish details of their claims as soon as possible.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw, a junior minister, said he "would reflect" on the suggestion but said he had not yet read the letter. He said he did not think any of his claims had been contentious but had not gone back over the details.

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