Thursday 21 February 2019

MP Chris Davies charged with forgery over expenses claims


Chris Davies MP
Image captionChris Davies unseated Liberal Democrat Roger Williams at the 2015 general election
A Welsh Conservative MP has been charged in connection with allegations over false expenses claims.
Chris Davies, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, is accused of two offences of forgery and one of providing false or misleading information for allowance claims.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said he was due to appear before Westminster magistrates in March.
It said the charges followed a review of evidence submitted by police.
Mr Davies was elected in 2015, winning the seat from the Liberal Democrats, and successfully defended it at the 2017 election.
A CPS spokesperson said: "In November 2018, the Crown Prosecution Service received a file of evidence from the Metropolitan Police relating to an allegation that Christopher Davies, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, falsified two invoices in support of Parliamentary expenses claims.
"Following a review of the evidence, the CPS has today charged Mr Davies with two offences of making a false instrument and one offence of providing false or misleading information for allowance claims.
"He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 22 March." 
The charges are:
  • Forgery between 25 January 2016 and 11 March 2016
  • Forgery between 28 March 2016 and 12 April 2016
  • Providing false or misleading information for allowances claims between 6 and 11 March 2016.
Mr Davies said: "I am very disappointed at today's announcement by the CPS. 
"I have explained previously the circumstances that led to the investigation, relating to events dating back to when I was a newly-elected MP over three years ago. 
"I will now speak to my lawyers and my colleagues in Parliament. I have nothing further to say about the matter at this time."

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