The nifty 250

Keeping his head down
WIRRAL South MP Ben Chapman could learn today whether he will be suspended from the Parliamentary Labour party.

The Wirral South MP went into hiding after The Daily Telegraph revealed he claimed expenses for part of a mortgage he had already repaid on his London property, reporting that he received £15,000 over 10 months.

It said Ben paid off £295,000 of the loan in 2002, but continued claiming mortgage interest payments on the entire mortgage – with the agreement of the fees office.

On the Edge
WORK to demolish Edge Lane houses, as part of a road-widening project, is expected to begin in spring 2010.

Liverpool Vision said it would award the £25.6m contract to widen Edge Lane by the autumn.

The works were delayed in 2006 when resident Elizabeth Pascoe campaigned to save her home. It is one of 371 to be demolished, with 48 yet to be acquired.

Elizabeth lost her High Court battle in March.

Pass the Mike

MIKE Storey is back in the spotlight of Liverpool politics tonight when he takes over the ceremonial role of Lord Mayor.

Mike, a headteacher of a primary school in Halewood and former Lib Dem leader of the council, will be handed the chain of office from Labour's Steve Rotherham.

House attacked
A WOMAN recovering after being shot in the leg has had her house, in Rossett Rad, Wavertree, fire-bombed.

Jackie Turner, 60, was caught at close range by two hooded men who shot through the window of her house last Monday night.

The house was empty when it was targeted yesterday.