Tory MP admits making false expense claims
An MP has admitted two counts of making a false claim for expenses.
Brecon and Radnorshire's Conservative MP Chris Davies admitted one charge of providing false or misleading information for allowances claims and one of attempting to do so, at Westminster Magistrates Court this morning.
He 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 case of the 51-year-old MP has now been referred to the crown court for sentencing.
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.
Thomas Forster, for Davies, described the situation as a "disastrous accounting episode", and that his client was the "author of his own misfortune."
He said the expenses system was not easy to understand and the MP was not motivated by personal gain.
He said: "It took courage to plead guilty and face the music.
"He has not shied away from that responsibility and he should be given credit."
The court was told that Davies was charged in February, and had already informed speaker John Bercow of his intention to plead guilty.
Davies was a councillor before being elected in 2015, beating Liberal Democrat Roger Williams with the seat's largest majority since 1983.
Before entering politics, Mr Davies was an auctioneer, estate agency and managed a mixed veterinary practice in Hay-on-Wye.
