Expenses scandal

Prime Minister Gordon Brown took action in the growing expenses scandal by suspending former minister Elliot Morley after he was found to have claimed expenses on a mortgage on a second home that had long been paid off.

The amount in question - 16,000 pounds (17,800 euros) - has been repaid by Morley, who also lost his job as the international climate change envoy for the government.

Conservative legislator Andrew Mackay resigned as a senior advisor to opposition leader David Cameron after a review of his expenses revealed an "unacceptable situation," a spokesman for Cameron said.

"The highest standards have got to be upheld in public life," Brown told reporters.

Morley and Mackay are the first politicians to be disciplined in the expenses row, which some say is alienating British voters ahead of the June 4 local elections. According to analysts, Brown has the most to lose, as polls indicate his Labour Party is losing ground to the Conservatives.

Brown warned that more heads could roll if further transgressions are discovered.

"Where disciplinary action is necessary it will, and will immediately, be taken," he told reporters. "If there are any other disciplinary cases where we have to take action, we will take action immediately."

Both Morley and Mackay, however, remain members of parliament until the next general election, which must be held by the middle of 2010.