Shamed Rotherham MP MacShane resigns

The MP for Rotherham said today he would step down for the sake of his “beloved” town and party.

It follows a report from the the Committee of Standards and Privileges stating that Dr MacShane submitted 19 false invoices worth £12,900 between 2004 and 2008, which were “plainly intended to deceive” Commons’ expense bosses.

The MP said: “In the light of the Parliamentary Commissioner’s decision to uphold the BNP complaint about expenses claimed in connection with my parliamentary work in Europe and in combating anti-semitism, I have decided for the sake of my wonderful constituency of Rotherham and my beloved Labour Party to resign as an MP.

“I have been overwhelmed by messages of support for my work as an MP on a range of issues but I accept that my parliamentary career is over.

“I appreciate the Committee’s ruling that I made no personal gain and I regret my foolishness in the manner I chose to be reimbursed for work including working as the Prime Minister’s personal envoy in Europe.

“I want to thank the people of Rotherham for allowing me to serve as their MP and the Labour Party for allowing me over the years to fight for the causes I believe in.

“I have received so many messages supporting me from Labour and Tory MPs as well as members of the public but I love the House of Commons and I hope by resigning I can serve by showing that MPs must take responsibility for their mistakes and accept the consequences of being in breach of the House rules.”