British MP convicted of expenses fraud

British MP Eric Illsley has become the first sitting MP to be convicted of expenses fraud.

Illsley in his appearance at Southwark Crown Court yesterday admitted to dishonestly claiming over £14,000 in parliamentary expenses. At the five-minute hearing, Illsley, who has been suspended by the Labour Party, admitted his guilt on three charges of false accounting relating to three years of expenses on his second home in London.

Prime minister David Cameron and Labour leader Ed Miliband, last night demanded that Ilsley resign voluntarily, rather than keep his job and salary, which he could have kept, even in case of a short jail term. Under the UK's Representation of the People Act 1981, MPs receiving a custodial sentence of 12 months stand disqualified with their seat automatically falling vacated. A by-election then follows. However, a mechanism for expelling members who are handed shorter jail terms does not exist.

"Eric Illsley has been found guilty of a very serious charge. He is no longer a Labour MP and I think he should now do the right thing and resign as an MP," said Miliband, adding, "I do not think he can be a credible voice for his constituents, having pleaded guilty to such a serious offence."

The Labour MP from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was suspended from the Labour Party following the allegations and is now an independent member following his re-election in the general election held in May.

Illsley had earlier denied claiming more than £25,000 for council tax, telephone usage, service charges and maintenance, and insurance and repairs at his second home in Kennington, south London.