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MPs' expenses inquiry considered Complaint made over MP's expenses
(30 minutes later)
A wide-ranging inquiry into MPs' expenses is being considered by the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life, the BBC has learned. A Tory MP has lodged a complaint with the Parliamentary commissioner for standards about Labour minister Tony McNulty's second home expenses claims.
Tory MP Greg Hands said: "I just don't think his arrangement is defensible."
Mr McNulty, work minister, has claimed £60,000 since 2002 for the house in his Harrow constituency - 11 miles from the Commons - where his parents live.
He says he did not break any rules but the case has added to pressure for a wide-ranging probe into MPs' expenses.
The independent Committee on Standards in Public Life is to look at the situation, the BBC has learned.
It is understood the inquiry into the whole system of expenses and allowances is likely to begin in the autumn.It is understood the inquiry into the whole system of expenses and allowances is likely to begin in the autumn.
Meanwhile the Tories have said they will make an official complaint about minister Tony McNulty's expense claims.
Mr McNulty says he did not break any rules by claiming an allowance for a home in London where his parents live.
Last month the committee - an independent body set up in the 1990s to look into parliamentary sleaze - decided against an inquiry in this Parliamentary session, after a meeting with Commons leader Harriet Harman.Last month the committee - an independent body set up in the 1990s to look into parliamentary sleaze - decided against an inquiry in this Parliamentary session, after a meeting with Commons leader Harriet Harman.
Overnight staysOvernight stays
Its former chairman, Sir Alistair Graham, told the BBC Mr McNulty had "questions to answer".Its former chairman, Sir Alistair Graham, told the BBC Mr McNulty had "questions to answer".
"He talks about using it as a base to do constituency work, but he didn't say that he stayed overnight there," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme."He talks about using it as a base to do constituency work, but he didn't say that he stayed overnight there," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
"If he was not staying overnight there, and the claim is probably a bit dodgy anyway, there probably should be some money repaid.""If he was not staying overnight there, and the claim is probably a bit dodgy anyway, there probably should be some money repaid."
SECOND HOMES ALLOWANCE MPs can claim up to £24,006 this yearCannot be claimed by 25 inner London MPsCovers rent, mortgage interest payments or hotel expensesCan cover repair and utility bills, furnishings, insuranceIncludes £25-a-night subsistence allowance, including food, for nights spent away from homeIn 2006/7, 23 of the 49 MPs representing outer London seats claimed the allowance A guide to MPs' pay and expensesSECOND HOMES ALLOWANCE MPs can claim up to £24,006 this yearCannot be claimed by 25 inner London MPsCovers rent, mortgage interest payments or hotel expensesCan cover repair and utility bills, furnishings, insuranceIncludes £25-a-night subsistence allowance, including food, for nights spent away from homeIn 2006/7, 23 of the 49 MPs representing outer London seats claimed the allowance A guide to MPs' pay and expenses
Mr McNulty himself said the rules should be looked into after claiming an estimated £60,000 since 2001 for the property in his Harrow East constituency, in north-west London.Mr McNulty himself said the rules should be looked into after claiming an estimated £60,000 since 2001 for the property in his Harrow East constituency, in north-west London.
He lived with his parents in the Harrow house, which he owns, before his 2002 marriage to second wife Christine when he moved to her home in Hammersmith.He lived with his parents in the Harrow house, which he owns, before his 2002 marriage to second wife Christine when he moved to her home in Hammersmith.
All MPs, apart from the 25 who represent inner London constituencies, can claim up to £24,000 a year in allowances towards the cost of staying away from home while on Parliamentary business.All MPs, apart from the 25 who represent inner London constituencies, can claim up to £24,000 a year in allowances towards the cost of staying away from home while on Parliamentary business.
Although Mr McNulty's Harrow constituency is only 11 miles from Westminster, he does not count as an inner London MP. His main home is eight miles from Harrow in Hammersmith, west London.Although Mr McNulty's Harrow constituency is only 11 miles from Westminster, he does not count as an inner London MP. His main home is eight miles from Harrow in Hammersmith, west London.
'Nothing irregular''Nothing irregular'
He said he made "considerable" use of the Harrow property and that it allowed him to do his job more effectively - but said he had stopped claiming the allowance in January because the fall in interest rates meant he could afford to pay the mortgage from his MP's salary.He said he made "considerable" use of the Harrow property and that it allowed him to do his job more effectively - but said he had stopped claiming the allowance in January because the fall in interest rates meant he could afford to pay the mortgage from his MP's salary.
Mr McNulty's spokesman has said the MP is "completely compliant with all the regulations around the allowances for second homes".Mr McNulty's spokesman has said the MP is "completely compliant with all the regulations around the allowances for second homes".
But the Conservatives are to make an official complaint to Parliament's Standards Commissioner John Lyon about the claims.But the Conservatives are to make an official complaint to Parliament's Standards Commissioner John Lyon about the claims.
Alan Duncan: 'People should pay for their own homes'Alan Duncan: 'People should pay for their own homes'
Hammersmith's Tory MP Greg Hands told the BBC: "£60,000 of taxpayers' money has been claimed in expenses on Mr McNulty's parents' home in Harrow - clearly something has gone wrong here." Hammersmith MP Greg Hands told the BBC: "£60,000 of taxpayers' money has been claimed in expenses on Mr McNulty's parents' home in Harrow - clearly something has gone wrong here."
"He's the MP from Harrow and living in Hammersmith - neither place is particularly far from Westminster and clearly I just don't think his arrangement is defensible.""He's the MP from Harrow and living in Hammersmith - neither place is particularly far from Westminster and clearly I just don't think his arrangement is defensible."
He said it would be for Mr Lyon to decide whether any of the money should be repaid.He said it would be for Mr Lyon to decide whether any of the money should be repaid.
'Stricter regime''Stricter regime'
A new system of expenses is due to come into force on 1 April. Labour MP Don Touhig, who chairs the committee which advises on MPs' pay and allowances, told the BBC that would introduce a "much stricter regime" and would make MPs examine their behaviour.A new system of expenses is due to come into force on 1 April. Labour MP Don Touhig, who chairs the committee which advises on MPs' pay and allowances, told the BBC that would introduce a "much stricter regime" and would make MPs examine their behaviour.
"The three questions MPs should ask now before making a claim is: Does the claim match the purpose of the allowance in question? Could the claim in any way damage the reputation of Parliament? And how comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?," he said."The three questions MPs should ask now before making a claim is: Does the claim match the purpose of the allowance in question? Could the claim in any way damage the reputation of Parliament? And how comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?," he said.
"These are three fundamental questions and I think every MP who makes a claim must answer those questions.""These are three fundamental questions and I think every MP who makes a claim must answer those questions."
He said his committee would keep the Green Book of rules "under review" and if MPs had concerns they could make representations to it.He said his committee would keep the Green Book of rules "under review" and if MPs had concerns they could make representations to it.
HAVE YOUR SAY I don't think it's the greed that gets to me but the lack of accountability and punishment Stefan Walker, Middlesbrough Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I don't think it's the greed that gets to me but the lack of accountability and punishment Stefan Walker, Middlesbrough Send us your comments
Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, in south London, said: "There ought to be a straightforward 'no second home' claim for people who are in London at all, unless they can show that getting home at a reasonable time isn't practical.Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark and Bermondsey, in south London, said: "There ought to be a straightforward 'no second home' claim for people who are in London at all, unless they can show that getting home at a reasonable time isn't practical.
"Then they need to show that what they have is a second home... not their family home, not their mum's home.""Then they need to show that what they have is a second home... not their family home, not their mum's home."
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has defended claiming about £116,000 for her family home in the West Midlands after declaring her sister's property in London - where she stayed four days a week - as her main residence.Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has defended claiming about £116,000 for her family home in the West Midlands after declaring her sister's property in London - where she stayed four days a week - as her main residence.
She said the Commons' authorities had approved her conduct, and the parliamentary standards watchdog has asked her to justify her arrangements.She said the Commons' authorities had approved her conduct, and the parliamentary standards watchdog has asked her to justify her arrangements.
The additional costs allowance is arguably the most controversial of all MPs' expenses and was at the centre of a high-profile Freedom of Information battle last year.The additional costs allowance is arguably the most controversial of all MPs' expenses and was at the centre of a high-profile Freedom of Information battle last year.
Plans for details of MPs' expenses to be exempted from Freedom of Information laws were to be put to the vote in January but were shelved after criticism from campaigners.Plans for details of MPs' expenses to be exempted from Freedom of Information laws were to be put to the vote in January but were shelved after criticism from campaigners.
Ms Harman then said receipts for all MPs' claims dating back to 2004 would be published, once they had been processed by the Commons authorities.Ms Harman then said receipts for all MPs' claims dating back to 2004 would be published, once they had been processed by the Commons authorities.