dial 999 theres an emergency .......... oh hold that call its an MP whos above the law

Adam, manchester, uk

I think one of the worrying things about this is that there is obviously a culture within MPs that thinks this is OK. They are now going to vote about what to do. Turkeys and Christmas comes to mind

si, london,

Have reported the matter to the police, is you feel strongly about this please do the same and maybe this might result in an investigation . heres the link on which to report it to :
https://online.met.police.uk/report.php

Adam, manchester, uk

Can someone please explain the difference between an MP misusing public money for their own persoanl use, and a member of the public either swindling benefits, pickpocketing, or plain stealing? I don't think there is, in which case the police should be investigating now.

Mickey Smith, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Should Conway still be able to draw his Parliamentry pension?

JOE, Bradenstoke, England

if the man on the street did something like this he would be jailed for "obtaining money by deception" - but an MP with all his/her executive privaledges will get away with a slap on the wrist & apologise for an "adminastrative error"

its about time our elected representatives were accountable for their actions & subjected to the same laws as the rest of us

richard cottle, preston, UK

Wow, suspended, he must really regret his wrongdoings now. Our elected officials seem to be stuck in a pathetic boys club that never climbs out of the gutter to solve the country's problems and is instead more interested in feathering it's own nest.

N, london,

The ads on TV say that if you commit benefit fraud you get fined and go to jail. I'll bet there are loads of fraudsters out there who would love to have his punishment! Regardless of how you label it- it's STEALING!

Deidra Baker, St Andrews, Scotland

Like lambs to the slaughter. That about sums up the British tax payer. we have no control over, this or any other so called govenment who are raping the tax payer. no accountability. no transparence, and corruption at this level is rife.

Had this been a member of the ordinary public they would have ben arrested the same day, and dont we no it, no wonder the country is on its knees. Greed and corruption and deceit at this level dished out to us by a man with a family is a disgracful example of a husband, father and member of parliment. Like i said no control,... keep taking it people.... I am so ashamed to be British

TP, Tipton, West Mids

I can understand why people are so animated in their condemnation of this MP. What I can't understand is why a similar level of verbal indictment was not directed at Peter Hain and other Labour Party officials who have been equally guilty of fraud.

People, where do you think Hain's 103,000 quid went? It went directly into his bank account and those other Labour MPs who would vote for him. Pure money laundering and theft. Anyone else would have been banged up for years.

Edwin, Bucharest,

Sickening. The rich truly are different and I am sure he justifies to himself what he has done - probably doesn't consider it theft.

Alan Evans, Bratislava, Slovakia

Quote - "Harriet Harman, the Commons leader, said that it was a “highly regrettable” affair which fell below the standards expected by the public."
Well if notice was to be taken of what is expected by the public then many might say that the present government should be very worried!

Michael, Redditch,

The only thing which is surprising about this business is that anyone is surprised by it. Our politicians from those at local government up to our prime minsters are unable to recognise corruption because to them it is the norm.

Tony Ford, Chard, Somerset

I expect there are a few more MPs from all Parties who are holding their collective breath - in case they're next to be exposed.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Why shouldn't he have to pay back everything? I hope this will become a fraud court case. Disgraceful in the extreme. What an example to others.
Self-employed people are prohibited to pay their spouses, so why should MPs be allowed to do so? Aren't we all equal in the eyes of the law?

Wilma Prince, Vossemeer, The Netherlands

He’s a cheat and fraudster, Cameron should demand he steps down immediately. His local party should deselect him now; let’s make all MP’s accountable. We now know why the Tories didn’t finish Hain off they are just as bad. To say I let my family down is total hogwash, he’s been caught out, it was ok whilst they where receiving and spending illegal monies. Tories are just as sleazy as Nu Labour, they are nearly all fiddling something somewhere with a few exceptions, that’s why they get away with it. Dennis Skinner MP should be in control of MP’s expenses, he would put an instant stop to these shenanigans. They’ve just awarded themselves a major pay rise in the guise of £10k extra allowances and yet again got away with it, which prove they are all in this merry corruption together. Recently all these MP,s were shouting and condemning the poor people who lived on benefits and accusing them of cheating the system. Well look to yourselves first, but of course you have the power over us, and that’s the problem we can’t control you.

Michael, Sheffield,

What I find equally disgraceful is the slimey language coming from the man's colleagues, supporting him and his dishonest acts. Thank goodness for Frank Field, it seems he is the only MP who has come out and called it for what it is - embezzlement. Jack Straws comments also ring of common sense.
Why have complicated rules about who an MP can employ, just simply make them responsible for their actions. Fraud is fraud, no matter who the employer or the employee.

Bob, Bedford,

We the public are not permitted to break the rules, and are threatened by the overpowering system if we don’t adhere to them. Yet MP’s are allowed to bend them and lie to cover up. Harman must have spoke the words through gritted teeth knowing all her mates are at it. Conway should be forced to resign forthwith, causing a by-election, thus allowing the voters to cast their opinion on the matters of to-day. Surely Cameron would like the opportunely prove his real credentials. I note the media hasn’t sort or printed the opinions of Dennis Skinner like or loath him he’s the most honest man in parliament man to-day. It’s obvious the police are selective whom they interview about breaking the law, and did Conway’s sons declare these monies to the tax man? I bet the revenue office won’t be accepting “administrative oversights” as excuses even though their web sites failed if tax returns aren’t on time.

Michael, Sheffield,

Did the two sons declare these "earnings" to the Inland Revenue?

Peter, Bedford, UK

I fail to understand why MPs still consider themselves to be above the law. I would have welcomed the opportunity to fund my childrens university education by having them employed by an MP. Working without records, never being accountable to anyone and getting paid well above the minimum wage for just accessing the internet. I will vote for the first party that bans MPs from employing family members. Caroline Flint states that this would mean that she could not be an MP, this is rubbish, many people would work long hours for what she pays her husband.

Alan, Southampton, UK,

Should be fired, prosecuted, made to repay the money he misappropriated and serve a sensible prison term. Where are the standards for public office?!?!

Farrukh, Woking, UK

A normal employee of a normal company including a worker for a local authority would have been dismissed and prosecuted. Why otherwise?

FRW Houseley, Nottingham, England

Far from failing to meet "the standards expected" for a British MP, Derek Conway meets the expected standards perfectly. He's been devious and dishonest, and his only heart felt regret is in being caught.

When all the other MP's claim to be shocked and deeply concerned by this kind of behaviour, it's hard to believe that they're not doing this behind a sweat beaded forehead.

We could have anticipated word for word, the meaningless apology that Mr. Conway offered us. If MP's were genuinely eager to eradicate this kind of behaviour, a criminal prosecution would ensue.

julian, Wimslow,

I am incenced that I and other tax payers have financed mr Conways sons lavish life style through university .
more so as my own son self financed 7 years of university as we were not in the position to help him.He left with a 1st Masters and Phd in Physics straight into work he loves as a plasma phyisist but can't earn enough to buy even a modest home in the area he needs to work. At least I have a son to be proud of not a parasite.Mr Conway & his sons should repay all the money to the UK tax payer.

Jane Sircombe, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Receive £43,000, refund £13,161. Without wishing to sound brash, I think I could hold down a job like that.One would like to think that any recompense paid by the errant MP would be greater than the amount fraudulently gained.
I believe his wife has a rather fair income as well. Or is it fair!

John H., Gillingham, UK

Why only 13,161 not 43,000 GBP

Jane, Virginia, USA

This man is no better than a thief and deserves to be treated as such. He has stolen money from the public pocket and the retribution he has received thus far is paltry!

He should be jailed for fraud and the only reason he won't be is that politicians seem to be above the law...and much of the time they are!

Stuart, glasgow,

No prosecution, only partial repayment of the embezzled funds, and continuing resistance to calls for the end to nepotism and unsubstantiated expenses claims.

MPs must be forced to live by the same rules and conditions they create for other sectors: the requirement that jobs are open to all qualified applicants, transparency and substantiation in expenses claims, the Freedom of Information Act, the demise of final salary pension schemes.

The idea that MPs behave more honourably than the rest of us mere civilians with regard to such things has been repeatedly shown to be false.

Of course the Speaker and MPs oppose these measures - turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

Alice Adams, London, UK

Not only did Conway employ both sons (who seemingly did nothing to earn their overinflated salaries) and his wife (overpaid as well), but we now learn he was also employing his sons' friend!!! Jobs for the boys eh?? This is the Tory sleaze of the Major years very much alive and kicking today. Conway has even had the nerve to say that his children are entitled to a social life. That shouldn't be at the public expense.

Mike K, Brighton,

Ten days !

That's "punishment" for major (around a quarter of a million pounds) fraud ????

Embezzlement is a crime - a serious one on that scale !!!

For the last eight years we've put three kids through university, all of us living on junk food and charity-shop clothes - a worthwhile and rewarding experience. The kids grafted nights stacking shelves in the supermarket like many orhers. My wife and I paid our tax so that some wealthy scum bags could do drugs on the London club scene.

Parliamentary democracy is a black joke.

Sean Shalor, C, UK

To paraphrase the government's favourite message:

No ifs, no buts.
Criminal fraud is theft.

When will the CPS get involved? Yet another example of parliamentary privilege!

Irate, London,

This is yet another example of leaders in all fields, politics, sport, business and entertainment showing a complete disregard for their responsibilities in setting an example for others. The recurring theme in all recent examples of of such fraudulant behaviour is to regret being caught in the act of deceipt rather than in the act itself. An arrogant denial of any wrong doing, be it on the football pitch or in the House, whenever challenged seems to be the norm these days and we wring our hands in wonder at falling standards and lack of respect. It's about time that the movers and shakers in this country analysed their own behaviour and its affect on others before singling out a few soft targets in need of yet more legislative control.

Ed Bell, Newbury, UK

I would certainly like to know why he hasn't been charged by the police. Absolute disgrace

Euan, London,

In any other form of employment he would have been dismissed not given what is in reality a 2 year notice period. He would have also been prosecuted.
On the other hand it is unfortunate for Mr Conway that he has been caught as I am sure other MP's across all parties are paying members of their family and even friends in a similar fashion, albeit probably not with the disregard Mr Conway has seemingly shown.
Allowance systems world wide are regularly abused, of course the only people who can change this one are the very people it impacts upon.

Dr Annoied, LICHFIELD, Staffs

MP's should set an example to the electoriate. Those MP's and civil servants suspected of misconduct. Should be admolished bu reducing them 3 grades, whether guilty or not.
Their position does not and must not allow them the privilage of misconduct or potential misconduct. Afterwards their case must be heard in open court, without the benefit of sanctaty of position, or secretcy.

A. Wisniewski, London, England

Why does his case need to be referred to the police for investigation.Surely they are aware of the suspicion of theft and misappropriation levelled against this politician.It all goes to suggest that our MPs are not held to account even by the law.Conway is suspended for 10 days and intends to draw his salary until the next election.In no other field would such a course of action be tolerated.

p dickinson, audierne, france

Why is he not asked to repay the full amount he dishonestly paid to his sons?

V Tan, London,

But still no prosecution which proves this man is above the law

Dave Pittam, Droitwich, Worcs