The political earthquake of the MPs' expenses scandal continued to have aftershocks last night with suggestions that Labour's Jim Devine, deselected on Tuesday, might force a by-election in Livingston.

The political earthquake of the MPs' expenses scandal continued to have aftershocks last night with suggestions that Labour's Jim Devine, deselected on Tuesday, might force a by-election in Livingston.

The backbencher, who was cut loose by the Labour leadership because of queries over his expenses claims, is thought to be mulling over his options; another being staying on until the next General Election and standing as an independent.

The 56-year-old politician, who is "devastated" by the party's decision to deselect him and believes he has been "hung out to dry", was unavailable for comment last night.

He fell foul of Labour's "star chamber" because of outstanding questions over receipts of £2157 for electrical work from a company that does not exist and of £2326 for 66 metres of shelving, said to have been provided by the landlord of his local pub. Mr Devine denied any wrongdoing.

If the Livingston MP were to force a by-election, it would be the third caused by the fall-out from the expenses scandal. The majority is only 2680 and Labour will be challenged hard by the SNP.

Last night, The Herald was told by Labour sources that the date for the Glasgow North East by-election was likely to be August 27.

The governing party is said to have been buoyed by having polled 2000 more votes than the Nationalists in the recent Europoll in the area. It also feels that the current local controversy of school closures will not be so high because by then the schools would have returned after the summer holidays.

The other by-election due is in Norwich North, the seat of Labour's Ian Gibson, who also fell foul of the expenses scandal. His majority was 5459.

The whole issue of allowances is due to be resurrected today when the Commons authorities publish online four years' worth of MPs expenses. However, unlike those made public by The Daily Telegraph, today's are expected to be heavily redacted.

During his last appearance as Speaker yesterday, Michael Martin berated party leaders for their lack of leadership when they "passed up an opportunity" to strengthen the expenses regime last year.

He said: "I wish that party leaders would have shown then some of the leadership that they have shown now."

The Members' Estimate Committee had produced a "blunt and straightforward" report with 18 recommendations that was presented to the House in July 2008 but its response was "deeply disappointing", with half of MPs not voting. Of those who did, more than half voted to reject the proposals.

He warned MPs they would be "criticised strongly, particularly for this sad period" but noted that when "scorned", they should take comfort from a Robert Burns poem: "Then gently scan you brother man, still gentler sister woman; tho' they may go a little wrong, to step aside is human."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown led the tributes and offered "heartfelt thanks" on behalf of the whole House for Mr Martin's "long and dedicated service to Parliament".

He said the Speaker's background, rising up from the streets of Glasgow to high office, was "an inspiring story of commitment and determination in the service of your community, your party, this parliament and our nation".

Meantime, there was more flak on expenses for the Conservative benches.

Brian Binley, the Tory MP for Northampton South, insisted he had done nothing wrong after it emerged he had claimed more than £50,000 to rent a flat from his own company.

He was reimbursed £1500 a month for three years while he appealed against a change in the Commons rules banning MPs from renting properties from themselves or their companies.

The 67-year-old has since moved to a different flat after the Speaker rejected his appeal in April, but has not been asked to repay the £57,000.