David Chaytor gets 18 Months

[Chil1234]

He's been caught bang to rights fiddling his accounts and stealing public money. However, his friends are arguing that he's been set up as the Aunt Sally, that an 18 month prison sentence is inappropriate and... very interesting.... that other MPs in all parties were equally badly behaved but escaped prosecution because they were more 'in' with the people at the top.

I can't see the sense personally in putting a man like this behind bars, except in the metaphorical head on a spike to warn off others way. He's not a danger to society and a community order seems more appropriate punishment. However, I would like to know who, if anyone, has managed to avoid the same fate and who, if anyone, has been helping them.

I never thought I would type this but I actually feel sorry for him. OK he shouldn't have committed fraud but it would appear to me that all MP's were at it, however, I know this doesn't make it right. The whole culture of the House of Commons enabled his behaviour, specifically the rubber stamping of all expense claims.

Why was he singled out for prosecution?

FWIW I think community service would have been more appropriate.

most mps were staying within the rules, it was just that the rules were outrageous eg claiming for the Duck House was within the rules

Chaytor fabricated invoices for services he didn't pay for, and claimed for properties when the mortgages were already paid off. Criminal Fraud.

Some bent the rules and others snapped them, 18 months is far to short imno, he was in a position of trust and abused it.

I hope a couple of Tory peers join him :o

He stole a lot of money and there's no excuse for it.
I suppose I just shudder a bit at the thought of prison and wonder what purpose it really serves. Now, were David Chaytor sentenced to distribute the amount he fiddled TIMES TWO to worthy causes, a la Secret Millionaire - that would incorporate a punishment element (having to pay back double what he stole) and would really help society.

He stole a lot of money and there's no excuse for it.
I suppose I just shudder a bit at the thought of prison and wonder what purpose it really serves. Now, were David Chaytor sentenced to distribute the amount he fiddled TIMES TWO to worthy causes, a la Secret Millionaire - that would incorporate a punishment element (having to pay back double what he stole) and would really help society.