gmb45
19th June, 2009, 06:03 AM
Nadine Dorries said MPs thought at least one colleague would to try and kill him or herself
LABOUR last night set up a special helpline for MPs whose expense claims have been made public.
It advertises itself as offering support for their general wellbeing as well as offering legal advice.
An email to all MPs told them they could phone the Downing Street switchboard and ask to be connected to *solicitors or other experts.
The helpline is being co-ordinated by MP Anne Snelgrove, an aide to Gordon Brown and a former teacher.
The email states: ??Well-being? support and advice available from colleagues.
?The Labour Party is able to put coll*eag*ues in contact with a legal adviser, should you require one.?
Commons authorities have already made a psychiatrist available to counsel MPs who are feeling pressure as a *result of the expenses scandal.
The therapist has been retained on-call because of concerns that some politicians are close to mental breakdowns following scrutiny of their claims.
It emerged last month that hospitals near Westminster had been put on alert to deal with MPs left distraught by the collapse of their careers, facing possible police investigations and public ridicule.
Three unnamed backbenchers are said to have been placed on ?suicide watch? by Labour whips.
Tory backbencher Nadine Dorries also revealed that MPs expected at least one of their colleagues to try and kill him or herself as a result of the scandal.
Police could announce criminal investigations into a handful of MPs within weeks.
Metropolitan Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said Parliamentary authorities had given ?good co-*operation? after investigators asked for information.
But he declined to speculate on how many MPs might face a police probe, which includes the prospect of being interviewed under caution or even arrested.
A team of detectives and Crown Prosecution Service experts is examining the actions of a small number of MPs in *detail.
Yesterday Sir Paul said: ?We are getting good co-operation.
?We are seeking more information, we will get that information, analyse it and make a decision.?
?I don?t think we are that far off.?
LABOUR last night set up a special helpline for MPs whose expense claims have been made public.
It advertises itself as offering support for their general wellbeing as well as offering legal advice.
An email to all MPs told them they could phone the Downing Street switchboard and ask to be connected to *solicitors or other experts.
The helpline is being co-ordinated by MP Anne Snelgrove, an aide to Gordon Brown and a former teacher.
The email states: ??Well-being? support and advice available from colleagues.
?The Labour Party is able to put coll*eag*ues in contact with a legal adviser, should you require one.?
Commons authorities have already made a psychiatrist available to counsel MPs who are feeling pressure as a *result of the expenses scandal.
The therapist has been retained on-call because of concerns that some politicians are close to mental breakdowns following scrutiny of their claims.
It emerged last month that hospitals near Westminster had been put on alert to deal with MPs left distraught by the collapse of their careers, facing possible police investigations and public ridicule.
Three unnamed backbenchers are said to have been placed on ?suicide watch? by Labour whips.
Tory backbencher Nadine Dorries also revealed that MPs expected at least one of their colleagues to try and kill him or herself as a result of the scandal.
Police could announce criminal investigations into a handful of MPs within weeks.
Metropolitan Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson said Parliamentary authorities had given ?good co-*operation? after investigators asked for information.
But he declined to speculate on how many MPs might face a police probe, which includes the prospect of being interviewed under caution or even arrested.
A team of detectives and Crown Prosecution Service experts is examining the actions of a small number of MPs in *detail.
Yesterday Sir Paul said: ?We are getting good co-operation.
?We are seeking more information, we will get that information, analyse it and make a decision.?
?I don?t think we are that far off.?