British prime minister to repay disputed expense claims

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will repay more than $19,000 in expenses after an independent auditor found that he and other lawmakers had made excessive claims, according to Brown's office, CNN reported.

In an e-mailed statment, Brown's office said the prime minsister "will cooperate fully and make the necessary repayment" of $19,678.20 - approximately 12,415 British pounds - originally expensed for cleaning, gardening and decorating costs.

Following damaging revelations in May that British lawmakers had abused the system of expenses, Brown announced a series of reforms, including an audit by retired government official Thomas Legg of every member of parliament's expenses over the past five years.