A member of the European Parliament who represented the South East who dishonestly claimed about £100,000 in expenses with a "sustained pattern of stealing" has been jailed for four years.
Peter Skinner, 56, who was Labour MEP for the South East from 1999 to 2014, was found guilty of three charges after a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
He claimed thousands of pounds for support staff, which actually funded jewellery, restaurants and hotel stays.
Sentencing Skinner, of Snodland, Kent, the judge said he had abused trust.