LONDON (Reuters) – British Chief Secretary to the Treasury David Laws resigned yesterday after revelations about his parliamentary expenses, in a move seen as an effort to limit damage to the new coalition government.
Prime Minister David Cameron replaced Laws, number two to the finance minister, within 24 hours of his apology for what the Daily Telegraph newspaper said was his claim of tens of thousands of pounds in parliamentary expenses for rent he passed on to his long-term partner.
“I do not see how I can carry on my crucial work on the budget and spending review while I have to deal with the private and public implications of recent revelations,” Laws said in his resignation statement.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, told BBC television: “David Laws has taken a very painful decision today. It was his decision alone.”
