A woman reads a copy of the Daily Telegraph newspaper in London, on May 21, 2009. Britain's political expenses row threw up a new embarrassing revelation Thursday, as an opposition lawmaker was forced to quit after claiming 1,600 pounds (2,500 dollars, 1,800 euros) for a "duck island." The latest resignation emerged as Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended two of his ministers in the spotlight over expenses claims. A string of revelations over the past two weeks has rocked British politics. Senior Conservative MP Sir Peter Viggers bought the wooden structure -- providing a comfortable retreat for ducks in the middle of a garden pond -- for his home in Hampshire, southern England, The Daily Telegraph newspaper said. Getty Images logo Getty Images 5 months ago

A woman reads a copy of the Daily Telegraph newspaper in London, on May 21, 2009. Britain's political expenses row threw up a new embarrassing revelation Thursday, as an opposition lawmaker was forced to quit after claiming 1,600 pounds (2,500 dollars, 1,800 euros) for a "duck island." The latest resignation emerged as Prime Minister Gordon Brown defended two of his ministers in the spotlight over expenses claims. A string of revelations over the past two weeks has rocked British politics. Senior Conservative MP Sir Peter Viggers bought the wooden structure -- providing a comfortable retreat for ducks in the middle of a garden pond -- for his home in Hampshire, southern England, The Daily Telegraph newspaper said.

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  1. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrives to give a speech at a central London venue, October 12, 2009. Brown set out on Monday plans for asset sales to help rein in the budget deficit.
  2. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown arrives to give a speech at a central London venue, October 12, 2009. Brown set out on Monday plans for asset sales to help rein in the budget deficit.
  3. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Prime Minister Gordon shakes hands with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani ahead of their meeting, in Downing Street on October 9, 2009 in London. Later Prime Minister Brown will attend a service of thanksgiving honouring UK armed forces and civilians who served and died in the Iraq war.
  4. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Prime Minister Gordon stands Iraqi President Jalal Talabani ahead of their meeting, in Downing Street on October 9, 2009 in London. Later Prime Minister Brown will attend a service of thanksgiving honouring UK armed forces and civilians who served and died in the Iraq war.
  5. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Prime Minister Gordon walks past Number 10 in Downing Street on October 9, 2009 in London. Prime Minister Brown will attend a service of thanksgiving honouring UK armed forces and civilians who served and died in the Iraq war.
  6. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Prime Minister Gordon (L) walks with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani from Downing Street on October 9, 2009 in London. Later Prime Minister Brown will attend a service of thanksgiving honouring UK armed forces and civilians who served and died in the Iraq war.
  7. LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 09: Prime Minister Gordon (L) walks with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani from Downing Street on October 9, 2009 in London. Later Prime Minister Brown will attend a service of thanksgiving honouring UK armed forces and civilians who served and died in the Iraq war.
  8. British Prime Minister Gordon (L) receives a kiss from his wife Sarah following his speech at the annual Labour Party Conference at the Brighton Centre, Brighton on September 29, 2009. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Tuesday that Iran must come into the international fold or face isolation, ahead of 'crucial' talks on its nuclear programme in Geneva this week.
  9. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Protesters dressed as ducks sail past the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 2009 in London, England. The demonstration organised by the group 'Vote for Change' aims to highlight corruption in British politics and to encourage political reform. A duckhouse purchased by MP Sir Peter Viggers on expenses has come to epitomise the extravagance of MPs expenses.
  10. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: A mock giant duckhouse is towed along the river Thames by protesters past the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 2009 in London, England. The demonstration organised by the group 'Vote for Change' aims to highlight corruption in British politics and to encourage political reform. A duckhouse purchased by MP Sir Peter Viggers on expenses has come to epitomise the extravagance of MPs expenses.
  11. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: A mock giant duckhouse is towed along the river Thames by protesters past the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 2009 in London, England. The demonstration organised by the group 'Vote for Change' aims to highlight corruption in British politics and to encourage political reform. A duckhouse purchased by MP Sir Peter Viggers on expenses has come to epitomise the extravagance of MPs expenses.
  12. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: A mock giant duckhouse is towed along the river Thames by protesters past the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 2009 in London, England. The demonstration organised by the group 'Vote for Change' aims to highlight corruption in British politics and to encourage political reform. A duckhouse purchased by MP Sir Peter Viggers on expenses has come to epitomise the extravagance of MPs expenses.
  13. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: A mock giant duckhouse is towed along the river Thames by protesters past the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 2009 in London, England. The demonstration organised by the group 'Vote for Change' aims to highlight corruption in British politics and to encourage political reform. A duckhouse purchased by MP Sir Peter Viggers on expenses has come to epitomise the extravagance of MPs expenses.
  14. LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: A mock giant duckhouse is towed along the river Thames by protesters past the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 2009 in London, England. The demonstration organised by the group 'Vote for Change' aims to highlight corruption in British politics and to encourage political reform. A duckhouse purchased by MP Sir Peter Viggers on expenses has come to epitomise the extravagance of MPs expenses.

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