Twirp: Terrorist Wahabi Islamic Rep Pakistan 4

[Naresh]

<b>British Justice minister Shahid Malik resigns</b>

LONDON : Shahid Malik has stepped down as British Justice Minister pending an inquiry into claims about his expenses.

Standards chief Sir Philip Mawer will investigate claims he failed to declare a subsidised rent.

Mr Malik insists he did not breach the ministerial code and he was "pleased" to have the chance to clear his name. The MP, who is the biggest casualty yet of the expenses scandal called for the media "bloodfest" to stop.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has asked Sir Philip, his official adviser on ministerial interests, to investigate the claims as quickly as possible and his report could come within days.

Mr Brown's spokesman stressed the expectation would be that Mr Malik would return to office if he was cleared and said no replacement was being appointed in the meantime.

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