ME and Ophelia

Gordon Brown has denied he acted too quickly in bringing Shahid Malik back into government, following new allegations about the MP's expenses.

Mr Brown said the communities minister was cleared by watchdog Sir Philip Mawer of breaching the ministerial code over the first set of allegations.

And he would be answerable to independent auditors - like all other MPs - over any further allegations.

Mr Malik denies a Daily Telegraph story about claiming for two offices.