London- Four British parliamentarians were told Friday that they face criminal charges in connection with last summer's scandal over the abuse of parliamentary expenses. Charges under the Theft Act were brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), following the publication of a final report on the expenses claims of all parliamentarians.
Three Labour members of parliament, including former Environment Minister Elliot Morley, and one conservative member of the House of Lords (Upper House) were charged.
Sufficient evidence had been found to bring criminal charges which were "in the public interest," chief prosecutor Keir Starmer said.
In a joint statement, the four parliamentarians denied the charges and pledged to defend their position "robustly."
In the course of the expenses scandal revelations last year, Morley was found to have claimed 30,000 pounds (47,000 dollars) in mortgage interest payments on a constituency home which no longer had a mortgage.
David Chaytor, another Labour member of parliament (MP), was accused of "dishonestly claiming" nearly 20,000 pounds for IT services and rent, while the third, Jim Devine, is alleged to have claimed for cleaning services and stationery using false invoices.
Conservative peer Paul White, also known as Lord Hanningfield, allegedly claimed for overnight stays in London to which he was not entitled.
The charges, however, reflect only the tip of the iceberg of the far-reaching scandal. A report published Thursday showed that more than half of the 646 MPs in the House of Commons overclaimed on their expenses and will be ordered to pay back an average of 3,000 pounds.
More seriously, however, and despite reforms to the system introduced since, the scandal has taken its toll on the reputation and workings of parliament.
At the general election later this year, up to half of the MPs are expected to be replaced by new candidates following forced and voluntary resignations as a result of widespread popular anger.
