Former Environment Minister Elliot Morley is facing a lengthy prison term after admitting dishonestly claiming more than £30,000 in parliamentary expenses.
The ex-politician appeared in court today to plead guilty to making fraudulent claims for mortgage fees up to 2007 and taking cash for another loan that had been paid off.
Morley, 58, quit as an MP at the last election, having represented Scunthorpe since 1987.
He is the fourth MP to appear in court over expenses fraud.
His barrister, James Sturman QC, told Mr Justice Saunders that his client accepted a jail sentence was now likely and added: "We know it is not a question of if but how long."
Morley was released on bail pending a sentencing hearing next month. He left Southwark Crown Court without comment.
Morley served as environment minister in the Labour Government between 2003 and 2007 and is the most senior politician to plead guilty to fraud since the expenses scandal began in 2009.
Prosecuters said Morley's behaviour had been "blatantly dishonest".
Morley pleaded guilty to two charges of false accounting. He admitted to receiving £15,200 more than he was entitled to in inflated mortgage claims and of submitting £16,800 in "phantom" mortgage claims after he had redeemed the existing loan on a property near Scunthorpe.
Morley wrongly filled out a total of 40 forms relating to mortgage payments.
Morley was barred from standing for Labour again in a general election in 2009 after which he decided to quit Parliament.
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