Scunthorpe MP Morley claims Commons moves to block resettlement grant 'against natural justice'

SCUNTHORPE MP Elliot Morley claims he has been treated unfairly and moves to block his retirement bonus 'go against natural justice'.

The payment, known as a resettlement grant, is paid when MPs leave Parliament at an election, either through defeat or retirement. It is worth a maximum of one year's salary of up to £65,000, depending on age and length of service.

'TREATED UNFAIRLY': Elliot Morley has hit out at action to block his £65,000 'golden goodbye'.

The 57-year-old former Environment Minister was charged last week with two counts of false accounting under the Theft Act, relating to a total of £30,428 of mortgage expenses claimed on his Winterton home between April 2004 and November 2007.

Mr Morley denies the charges and will appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on March 11.

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Mr Bercow announced on Monday the one-off payment will not be given to three Labour MPs facing charges until court proceedings have finished.

But Mr Morley exclusively told the Scunthorpe Telegraph: "I think withholding the resettlement goes against natural justice.

"In effect it turns common law around, which judges me guilty until proven innocent.

"It is one of the many ways I have not been treated fairly.

"What happens in the legal outcome is a matter of conjecture and would be for the House to decide.

"I would point out I have repaid in full and do not owe any money in relation to expenses."

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