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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MP expenses row reaches Darling | MP expenses row reaches Darling |
| (10 minutes 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 had been 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 controversy over expenses was "damaging" the government. | He had earlier warned controversy over expenses was "damaging" the government. |
| 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, 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. |
| Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has 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. |
| "Alistair 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, John Lyon, confirmed he was 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. |
| 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. | 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 shared | Problems shared |
| The growing number of revelations has led to fresh calls for MPs' 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 the recent spate of revelations was "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. |