British junior finance minister Kitty Ussher resigned today after reports that she had avoided capital gains tax on the sale of one of her homes.
Members of parliament from all parties have been under pressure following revelations of expense claims which have ranged from moat cleaning to the rental of pornographic films. An official list of claims will be published tomorrow.
Ms Ussher-- who had previously said she would quit as a legislator at the next general election, due within a year - denied she had done anything wrong but said she was resigning to save prime minister Gordon Brown's government embarrassment.
"At all times my actions have been in line with HM Revenue and Customs guidance and based on the advice of a reputable firm of accountants," she said in her resignation letter.
Ms Ussher was only appointed to her role as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury earlier this month after Mr Brown reshuffled his ministers following disastrous results in European elections and challenges to his leadership.
Previously she had served as a junior pensions minister, and before than in another finance ministry role.
"The prime minister has accepted the resignation of Kitty Ussher. Sarah McCarthy-Fry has been appointed as her replacement. A successor to Ms McCarthy-Fry will be announced in due course," Mr Brown's office said in a statement.
Mr Brown had already transferred Ms McCarthy-Fry to the department for communities and local government from that for children, schools and families as part of his previous reshuffle.
Ms Ussher said she had not abused the expenses system.
Reuters