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Smith claims complaint dismissed | Smith claims complaint dismissed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The parliamentary standards watchdog has dismissed complaints about Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's expenses. | |
John Lyon will not investigate claims made about her use of the second homes allowance for MPs. | John Lyon will not investigate claims made about her use of the second homes allowance for MPs. |
His office had had a "fair amount of correspondence" but a spokeswoman told the BBC "there is not sufficient evidence for an inquiry". | |
Ms Smith has said her claims for second home expenses on her family home while were "all above board". | |
'Case to answer' | 'Case to answer' |
Ms Smith reportedly claimed £116,000 in expenses for her home in Redditch, Worcestershire, after telling the Commons that her sister's home - where she stays while in London - was her main residence. | |
In a letter to Mr Lyon on Monday, Harry Cole, of the Centre for Open Politics, said there appeared to be "prima facie a case to answer in respect of Jacqui Smith's arrangements" and urged him to open an inquiry. | In a letter to Mr Lyon on Monday, Harry Cole, of the Centre for Open Politics, said there appeared to be "prima facie a case to answer in respect of Jacqui Smith's arrangements" and urged him to open an inquiry. |
But the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards said Mr Lyon would not be pursuing the complaint. | But the office of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards said Mr Lyon would not be pursuing the complaint. |
I took the decision that it was best for my kids to be where they grew up, where they were born Jacqui Smith | I took the decision that it was best for my kids to be where they grew up, where they were born Jacqui Smith |
The Conservative MP Ben Wallace also complained to Mr Lyon, however a spokeswoman said on Tuesday afternoon that this complaint had also been rejected. | |
Earlier, Ms Smith said she had checked with the parliamentary authorities about the arrangement and had "received assurances" it was allowed. | Earlier, Ms Smith said she had checked with the parliamentary authorities about the arrangement and had "received assurances" it was allowed. |
She added: "I have abided by the rules. Everything I have done is above board." | She added: "I have abided by the rules. Everything I have done is above board." |
But Conservative leader David Cameron told a news conference on Monday that the arrangement did "not look very good". | |
'Value for money' | 'Value for money' |
The tax-free Additional Costs Allowance - worth up to £24,006 a year at present - is claimed by MPs for the costs, such as mortgage interest and fuel bills, of working in both Westminster and a constituency. | The tax-free Additional Costs Allowance - worth up to £24,006 a year at present - is claimed by MPs for the costs, such as mortgage interest and fuel bills, of working in both Westminster and a constituency. |
Under the rules, the main residence is where the MP "spends more nights than any other" although recent guidance said "value for money" for the taxpayer could be used as a factor if there was doubt which home that was. | Under the rules, the main residence is where the MP "spends more nights than any other" although recent guidance said "value for money" for the taxpayer could be used as a factor if there was doubt which home that was. |
It has been reported that Ms Smith stays at her sister's home when she is London, normally between Monday and Thursday. | It has been reported that Ms Smith stays at her sister's home when she is London, normally between Monday and Thursday. |
The home secretary told GMTV: "I took the decision that it was best for my kids to be where they grew up, where they were born, where they go to school - back in my constituency. | The home secretary told GMTV: "I took the decision that it was best for my kids to be where they grew up, where they were born, where they go to school - back in my constituency. |
"But, as home secretary, I obviously have to spend the bulk of my time in London. That's what I thought would work best for me in terms of my job and for my family." | "But, as home secretary, I obviously have to spend the bulk of my time in London. That's what I thought would work best for me in terms of my job and for my family." |
But Lib Dem MP Norman Baker has written to the Commons Speaker asking that second homes allowance rules be reconsidered. | But Lib Dem MP Norman Baker has written to the Commons Speaker asking that second homes allowance rules be reconsidered. |
His letter said: "A 'pied-Ã -terre' in London, or a room in a relative's house, cannot sensibly be regarded as a main residence. It is clearly a second residence. | His letter said: "A 'pied-Ã -terre' in London, or a room in a relative's house, cannot sensibly be regarded as a main residence. It is clearly a second residence. |
"Yet this test seems not to be applied by all members. Indeed, I understand one member claims that his ancestral castle is his second home, and claims accordingly for the lichen to be removed from its walls. This cannot be right." | "Yet this test seems not to be applied by all members. Indeed, I understand one member claims that his ancestral castle is his second home, and claims accordingly for the lichen to be removed from its walls. This cannot be right." |
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