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Speaker's aide quits over story Speaker's aide quits over story
(about 2 hours later)
An aide for the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has resigned over the handling of a news story.An aide for the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, has resigned over the handling of a news story.
Spokesman Mike Granatt says he was misled by Commons officials over a Mail on Sunday story about the Speaker's wife using taxis for shopping.Spokesman Mike Granatt says he was misled by Commons officials over a Mail on Sunday story about the Speaker's wife using taxis for shopping.
Mr Granatt is not saying he was misled by Mr Martin or his wife, it is understood. He said he quit for "ethical reasons" after "unwittingly" giving out the wrong information to a journalist.
It comes as Parliament's standards watchdog probes a complaint over Mr Martin's alleged use of air miles.It comes as Parliament's standards watchdog probes a complaint over Mr Martin's alleged use of air miles.
Mr Granatt is not saying he was misled by Mr Martin or the Speaker's wife Mary, it is understood.
"I have stepped down from my post for ethical reasons, because I misled a journalist unwittingly," he said.
'Embarrassing''Embarrassing'
At the end of last year, it was reported that Mr Martin's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxi expenses since May 2004. At the end of last year, it was reported that Mr Martin's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxpayer-funded taxi expenses since May 2004.
At the time, Mr Granatt rebutted the story, saying the shopping trips had been for food for government-related functions, and Mrs Martin had been accompanied by an official at all times.At the time, Mr Granatt rebutted the story, saying the shopping trips had been for food for government-related functions, and Mrs Martin had been accompanied by an official at all times.
But Mr Granatt learned on Friday that the official was actually a housekeeper from the Speaker's household.But Mr Granatt learned on Friday that the official was actually a housekeeper from the Speaker's household.
"It's embarrassing and he's decided because he effectively misled a journalist over this, he's had to resign," said BBC political correspondent Ben Wright."It's embarrassing and he's decided because he effectively misled a journalist over this, he's had to resign," said BBC political correspondent Ben Wright.
Mr Martin has also been accused of flying members of his family business-class from Glasgow to London for a New Year break, using air miles gained from official trips. The resignation is the latest controversy to hit Mr Martin.
He has been accused of flying members of his family business-class from Glasgow to London for a New Year break, using air miles gained from official trips.
Mr Martin chairs the Commons Members Estimates Committee, which oversees MPs' expenses.Mr Martin chairs the Commons Members Estimates Committee, which oversees MPs' expenses.
He is heading a "root and branch" parliamentary inquiry into all aspects of MPs' expenses, in the wake of a furore over Tory MP Derek Conway's employment of his sons.He is heading a "root and branch" parliamentary inquiry into all aspects of MPs' expenses, in the wake of a furore over Tory MP Derek Conway's employment of his sons.