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MP expenses row reaches Darling MP expenses row reaches Darling
(about 3 hours later)
Chancellor Alistair Darling has become the latest in a line of ministers to be drawn into the row over MPs' expenses, over claims made for a second home.Chancellor Alistair Darling has become the latest in a line of ministers to be drawn into the row over MPs' expenses, over claims made for a second home.
While living in 11 Downing Street rent free the chancellor claimed second home allowances for his Edinburgh home while also renting out his London flat.While living in 11 Downing Street rent free the chancellor claimed second home allowances for his Edinburgh home while also renting out his London flat.
Mr Darling's spokeswoman said all his claims were openly declared and did not break any rules. Mr Darling's spokeswoman said all his claims had been openly declared and did not break any rules.
He had earlier warned the controversy was "damaging" the government. He had earlier warned controversy over expenses was "damaging" the government.
In similar circumstances on Sunday, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon had insisted he broke no rules in claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment and renting out his London flat. Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon has insisted he broke no rules in claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment and renting out his London flat.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home.
She has already apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 for her constituency house in Worcestershire.She has already apologised for "mistakenly" claiming £10 for adult films her husband watched, and is being investigated after claiming at least £116,000 for her constituency house in Worcestershire.
'Openly declared''Openly declared'
Meanwhile Gordon Brown said he had more important issues than MPs' expenses to deal with.Meanwhile Gordon Brown said he had more important issues than MPs' expenses to deal with.
In Mr Darling's case, he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there, added his spokeswoman.In Mr Darling's case, he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there, added his spokeswoman.
"Alastair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 - No 11 Downing Street became his main home - so his Edinburgh home was redesignated as his second home. "Alastair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 - No 11 Downing Street became his main home - so his Edinburgh home was re-designated as his second home.
"His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests," she said."His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members' interests," she said.
She said he did not claim the maximum allowance for his second home in Edinburgh.She said he did not claim the maximum allowance for his second home in Edinburgh.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards confirmed he is investigating another Labour MP over an allowance claimed for a second home in the capital. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, confirmed he was investigating another Labour MP over an allowance claimed for a second home in the capital.
The commissioner, John Lyon, has begun an inquiry into Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen who claims costs for his east London home because he lists a house 70 miles away in Colchester, Essex as his main residence. He has begun an inquiry into Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen who claims costs for his east London home because he lists a house 70 miles away in Colchester, Essex as his main residence.
Mr Lyon is also investigating a complaint about Labour minister Tony McNulty's second home expenses.Mr Lyon is also investigating a complaint about Labour minister Tony McNulty's second home expenses.
Problems sharedProblems shared
The growing row has led to fresh calls for MP expenses rules to be tightened. The growing number of revelations has led to fresh calls for MPs' expenses rules to be tightened.
On Sunday Mr Darling told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that the recent spate of revelations were "damaging". On Sunday Mr Darling told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show the recent spate of revelations was "damaging".
He said: "I think we do need to get an outside examination of this and so there are recommendations coming from people who've got no axe to grind. I think that's what the public want, and they want it quickly."He said: "I think we do need to get an outside examination of this and so there are recommendations coming from people who've got no axe to grind. I think that's what the public want, and they want it quickly."
Conservative leader David Cameron said the problems in the expenses system were shared by all parties.Conservative leader David Cameron said the problems in the expenses system were shared by all parties.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life is bringing forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.The Committee on Standards in Public Life is bringing forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.