Another British cabinet minister quits over dubious expense claims

A senior British parliamentarian is quitting her cabinet post after coming under fire for making questionable expense claims.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears offered her resignation to Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday, although she said she would remain a member of Parliament.

The announcement comes a day after another cabinet minister, Jacqui Smith, resigned as Home Secretary. Her move is also prompted by public outrage over her role in what has come to be known as the expense claims scandal.

The scandal began in early May after British newspaper the Daily Telegraph published inventories of some of the items expensed by parliamentarians as part of their annual housing allowance over the past few years.

Public outrage swelled after it became clear elected representatives claimed tax money for inappropriate expenses such as constructing swimming pools, paying off mortgages and buying luxury furniture.

$23,400 repaid

Blears has been criticized for making tens of thousands of pounds tax-free by selling a home she was using public money to maintain. She later repaid 13,000 pounds ($23,400).

Brown had called the claims "unacceptable" and was expected to relieve her of her role in the cabinet. He is due to reshuffle his cabinet either late this week or early in the following week.

About 15 legislators, including members of Brown's Labour Party and the Conservatives, have said they won't run for re-election after being linked to the expenses affair.

Analysts say hundreds more could be ousted in the next national election, which Brown must call by June 2010.