A LEADING Labour party member in Liverpool last night called for an early general election to give the electorate the chance to ditch MPs who had abused their expenses.

John Ashton, former North West regional director for public health, has been a member of the party for 45 years – since he was 17.

He has called for full disclosure of all MPs’ expenses as soon as possible; that all MPs are recalled for re-selection or de-selection by local parties, and a General Election in the autumn.

“It’s about morality, it’s about shame, it’s about ethics, its about leadership,” he said.

“It’s about all the things that it takes for a country to function properly.”

Prof Ashton is an influential figure within the party and is well known for his pivotal role in resolving the national fuel dispute in 2000 when he pleaded with protesters about the need to get supplies to the NHS.

Yesterday, the Daily Telegraph, which has been behind the revelations, turned its fire on the Liberal Democrats after previously disclosing details of Labour and Conservative MPs.

Former Daily Post and Echo journalist Chris Huhne, one of the wealthiest MPs and who now represents Eastleigh, was revealed to have claimed £119 for a trouser press, and also for chocolate HobNobs, loo roll, and fluffy dusters.

Last night Prof Ashton, now director of public health for Cumbria, said: “I share the total disgust at what’s gone on and I think it’s clear that the MPs don’t get it.

“The longer this goes on, the more it’s obvious they see this as a club that they belong to that is not accountable to the public.

“We are in a real crisis. In my own view, come the General Election, people are not going to have a choice really because so many are contaminated.”