British PM David Cameron faces Euro poll backlash from expenses storm
Premier's wavering in expenses storm that led to culture secretary's resignation could see right-wing UKIP benefit at Conservative's expense
British Prime Minister David Cameron was yesterday due to launch his Conservative Party's European election campaign, hoping that this week's resignation of Culture Secretary Maria Miller will not help push his party into third place.
Cameron's authority appeared weakened in parliament on Wednesday as backbench lawmakers questioned his ability to read the public mood in supporting Miller for six days after she had been found guilty of wrongly claiming £5,800 (HK$75,325) in expenses.
The prime minister put on a show of discipline on Wednesday night by sacking the party's vice-chairman Michael Fabricant for injudicious tweets, including one welcoming Miller's departure.
Miller resigned early on Wednesday, shattered by the scale of the week-long media and public attack over her expenses claims.
She said she was the victim of a witch-hunt that made it impossible to secure a public hearing for the fact that the House of Commons standards committee had acquitted her of the main charges against her.
She added in a brief interview: "It is not right that I am distracting from the incredible achievements of the government."
The prime minister's office insisted the resignation was entirely her decision, but officials refused to deny that an emissary - believed to be the chief whip, Sir George Young - went to see her to discuss the absence of support among lawmakers and the public. Miller herself said she took "full responsibility" for her decision to resign.