Gordon Brown: Expense claims were proper

LONDON, May 8 (UPI) -- Personal expenses claimed by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and leaked to The Daily Telegraph contain no evidence of wrongdoing, Downing Street says.

The newspaper this week published embarrassing details of expenses submitted by Brown and other government ministers it says are dubious and show the need for reform of the parliamentary expense reimbursement system.

The documents indicated Brown paid his brother Andrew more than $9,800 for the use of a cleaner at his private apartment as well as claiming twice for a plumbing bill, the Telegraph said.

A statement released by the prime minister's office said Gordon Brown simply "reimbursed (his brother) for his share of the cost. Of course, Mr. Andrew Brown did not receive any financial benefit. At all times the prime minister has acted with the full approval of the parliamentary authorities."

The expense claims didn't reveal any broken rules but have caused criticism that Labor Party ministers seem intent on maximizing their benefits under the discredited system, the The Guardian reported.

Labor Party deputy leader Harriet Harman told the BBC it was for the House of Commons authorities to decide whether claims were within the rules.