British minister steps down amid expense row

LONDON: A British government minister stepped down on Friday pending an investigation of allegations that he paid below-market rent for a house, the highest profile casualty so far of a growing expenses scandal.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown asked his independent adviser on ministerial interests, Philip Mawer, to investigate allegations about junior Justice Minister Shahid Malik that were made in the Daily Telegraph newspaper on Friday.

"Pending the outcome of that urgent investigation, Shahid Malik will be stepping down as minister," Brown's spokesman said. Malik said he had followed the rules on parliamentary expenses and the Telegraph allegations were inaccurate.