MPs expenses fraud bill made law

MPs will now face up to 12 months in prison for making false expenses claims, after amendments to the Parliamentary Standards Bill passed into law.

The new law received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament yesterday evening (July 21st).

A new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and Commissioner for Parliamentary Investigations have also been proposed.

Calls for salary and allowance provisions to be made are included in the bill, in addition to proposals for further guidance on MP financial interests and conduct.

The new bill has been introduced following the exposure of fraudulent expenses claims made by MPs over the last few months, which has led to a number of high-profile resignations from across the House of Commons.

Commenting on the new law, justice secretary Jack Straw said: "I am unapologetic about the fact that the bill has been changed on its way through this house.

"That has been the essence of parliamentary process both here and in the other place and I would have rightly stood condemned had I sought to resist a series of changes that were urged on us."