Wareing: Suspended

Labour MP suspended by Chief Whip

Mr Wareing, who is the member for Liverpool West Derby was suspended as a result of " serious allegations" understood to concern an alleged failure to register a financial matter in the Register of Members' interests. It is understood that Mr Brown has referred the case to the parliamentary Standards Commissioner Sir Gordon Downey.

Mr Wareing said in a statement released by the party: "I understand that allegations made against me have been referred by the Chief Whip to Sir Gordon Downey. I welcome the Chief Whip's decision to refer this to Sir Gordon and I also recognise why the Chief Whip has found it necessary to exercise his newly-acquired powers of suspension until Sir Gordon has concluded his inquiry."

Mr Wareing's statement concluded: "I have confidence in Sir Gordon and will stand by his judgment. I regret any problems or embarrassment my actions may cause to my political colleagues, my constituency party and my constituents."

Brown: New powers

Mr Wareing will now enter a period of "internal exile" in the party. While he will not have the party whip withdrawn, he will lose the privileges of being a member of the Labour party, and will be unable to serve on backbench committees or attend regional group meetings. A spokesman for the Labour party said that Tony Blair had always said the party would act quickly and decisively when there are allegations of misconduct among its members. This is a clear indication of that determination.

Mr Wareing,became an MP at the third attempt in 1983. In the last election his majority was nearly 26,000.