Labour MPs: We'll force by-elections in expenses row

Five Labour MPs are threatening Gordon Brown with hugely damaging by-elections if they are ordered to pay back their expenses.

In a move that puts real pressure on the Prime Minister, the Standard has learned that the refuseniks are determined to quit rather than repay tens of thousands of pounds claimed for cleaning, gardening and mortgages.

The rebels have told chief whip Nick Brown that they will act unless the Government reconsiders plans to force MPs to comply with retrospective caps on spending imposed by expenses adviser Sir Thomas Legg, a senior Commons source claimed.

All of the veteran MPs involved are set to stand down at the next election and feel able to defy the authority of the whips. One senior Commons figure said that the threat of five by-elections was "Gordon's winter nightmare".

Labour lost its previously safe seat of Norwich North to the Tories in a by-election this summer after Left-winger Ian Gibson resigned in protest at his treatment over his expenses.

In another blow to Mr Brown, some Labour MPs angry over expenses are plotting to seize the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Backbencher Barry Sheerman today said he is considering standing for the role.

Senior Tory backbenchers are also furious with Sir Thomas's decision to impose a £2,000 annual limit on cleaning and £1,000 cap on gardening.

Five Tory MPs have said they will not pay up, although none of them will quit to cause by-elections. The threats from Labour backbenchers could explain why Commons Leader Harriet Harman last week hit out at the "arbitrary" nature of Sir Thomas's proposals and said MPs should only be judged by the rules as they applied at the time.

Ms Harman was today due to set out her position to Parliament. But senior Commons officials say she has repeatedly changed it, leaving the Government's stance in confusion.

Sir Thomas's recommendations have yet to be endorsed and MPs are unclear how any sanctions would work.

Labour veteran Frank Field, who is not among the five threatening by-elections, said that he was furious at the "arbitrary and wrong" rulings by Sir Thomas.