This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7984874.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
MP expenses row reaches Darling MP expenses row reaches Darling
(40 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 minister to be drawn into the row over MPs' second home expenses.
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. His spokeswoman said he broke no rules by claiming for his Edinburgh home and renting out his London flat while living in 11 Downing Street rent free.
Mr Darling's spokeswoman said all his claims had been openly declared and did not break any rules. Geoff Hoon had a similar arrangement when living in a grace and favour flat when he was defence secretary.
He had earlier warned controversy over expenses was "damaging" the government. Commons leader Harriet Harman said "big changes" in the rules were likely after an independent probe into expenses.
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. Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and minister Tony McNulty have all had found their second homes expenses scrutinised in recent weeks.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has contested newspaper claims that she billed taxpayers £40 for a barbecue in her second home. Transport Secretary Mr Hoon has said he broke no rules by claiming second home allowances while living in a taxpayer-funded apartment and renting out his London flat.
Ms 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. In Mr Darling's case, he was taxed on the benefit of living in Downing Street and paid council tax there, his spokeswoman said.
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."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. Last year he claimed £9,837 of the total £23,083 allowed.
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. Ms Harman told the BBC ministers were not living "entirely free" in government properties, which were regarded as a taxable benefit and subject to council tax.
But she added: "We all recognise the rules need to change and that's why Gordon Brown has asked for a review by this independent committee called the committee on standards in public life and there are going to be some big changes that are made."
She said "clearer rules and tough enforcement" was needed to boost public confidence and parliament's reputation.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon, confirmed he was investigating another Labour MP over an allowance claimed for a second home in London.
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, who claimed thousands of pounds in allowances for the house his parents lived in, in his Harrow East constituency.
Problems sharedProblems 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.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life has brought forward its investigation into the expenses system and aims to put forward recommendations by the end of the year.
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.