Ex-minister jailed

The former Europe minister who dismissed the parliamentary expenses scandal as ‘‘a wonderful moment of British fiddling’’ said ‘‘cheers’’ and ‘‘quelle surprise’’ as he was jailed for six months on Tuesday. Denis MacShane was charged with fraudulently claiming £12,900 (NZ$25,700) only after the Crown Prosecution Service demanded that Scotland Yard hand over evidence. Officers had told MacShane that he would not face any further action. The jail sentence will increase pressure on prosecutors to ask to see other police files relating to MPs and peers suspected of fiddling.