Tory MP Christopher Davies pleads guilty after making false expenses claim
2 min read
Conservative MP Christopher Davies has pleaded guilty to two charges of making a false expenses claim.
The Brecon and Radnorshire MP admitted the charges during a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Friday morning.
The first charge was providing false or misleading information for allowances claims, contrary to section 10 of the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009.
Mr Davies admitted that in March 2016 he made a claim under the MPs' allowances scheme and provided an invoice that he knew to be "false or misleading".
The second charge was attempting to provide false or misleading information for an allowance claim using an invoice "that he knew to be false or misleading" in April 2016.
Mr Davies could face a recall petition in his seat, triggering a by-election if 10% of his constituents sign it.
Electoral Commission guidance says a petition can be triggered if an MP is convicted of providing false or misleading information for allowance claims under the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009.
Mr Davies served as a councillor in Powys before being elected to the Commons at the 2015 general election, where he unseated the Liberal Democrats’ Roger Williams.
He later served as a Parliamentary Private Secretary in the Wales Office.
Labour chair, Ian Lavery, said in response to the plea: "Trust in politics and politicians is essential to our democracy.
"Chris Davies cannot remain a Tory MP after admitting to this offence."
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