Chris Davies: Tory MP charged with faking Commons expenses claims

Brecon and Radnorshire MP will appear in court next month

(Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament)

A Tory MP has been charged with providing false or misleading information for his Commons expenses claims.

Chris Davies, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire, was charged with two counts of forgery and one of providing false or misleading information for allowance claims, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

The charges relate to allegations that Mr Davies “falsified two invoices in support of parliamentary expenses claims” in 2016, the CPS said.

The MP will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 22 March.

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.

They continued: “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Davies are now active and that he has a right to a fair trial.

“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Mr Davies, who was elected in 2015 after winning his seat from the Liberal Democrats, was interviewed by police twice last year in relation to the allegations.

The matter had been referred to the Metropolitan Police’s Special Inquiry Team by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa).

Mr Davies has previously said he made “an honest mistake” when submitting his expense claims.

Responding to the CPS’s decision to press charges, he 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.”