British lawmakers call on Commons Speaker to quit

A group of British lawmakers urged the Speaker of the House of Commons on Monday to quit over his handling of legislators' excessive expenses claims, hoping to oust a speaker for the first time in more than 300 years.

The 15 legislators called on Michael Martin to step down as a scandal over the use of taxpayers' money by some lawmakers continued to spread.

Newly disclosed expense claims show that some lawmakers used public money to pay off mortgages, repair tennis courts or buy luxury furniture.

Labour Party lawmaker Shahid Malik quit on Friday as justice minister over his claims for rent, and an aide to opposition Conservative Party leader David Cameron stepped down last week because of his expenses bills.

The Times of London newspaper reported on Monday that major donors to the governing Labour Party have threatened to stop giving to protest the scandal, possibly reducing the amount the party can spend heading into a likely 2010 national election.

Martin, a Labour lawmaker, has been speaker since 2000.

He has been criticised for his handling of the expenses system and for his attempts to block publication of the claims.(AP)