“The Labour party’s general secretary has today suspended David Chaytor, Jim Devine and Elliot Morley’s membership of the Labour party in the light of the serious allegations against them. They had already been barred from standing for parliament as Labour candidates.

“The decision follows a formal process which included representations from the chief whip and consultations with party officials over the weekend and means the three MPs have been suspended from the whip and cannot attend any Labour party meetings.”

- Labour party spokesman, a few moments ago