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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| MP expenses row reaches Darling | MP expenses row reaches Darling |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Chancellor Alistair Darling has become the latest minister to be drawn into the row over MPs' second home expenses. | Chancellor Alistair Darling has become the latest minister to be drawn into the row over MPs' second home expenses. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Geoff Hoon had a similar arrangement when he was living in a taxpayer-funded Whitehall flat as defence secretary. | |
| Commons leader Harriet Harman said "big changes" in the rules were likely after an independent probe into expenses. | Commons leader Harriet Harman said "big changes" in the rules were likely after an independent probe into expenses. |
| Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and minister Tony McNulty have all found their second homes expenses scrutinised in recent weeks. | |
| Homes redesignated | |
| 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. | 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. | 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. |
| There are going to be some big changes Harriet Harman | |
| 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, his spokeswoman said. |
| "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. Last year he claimed £9,837 of the total £23,083 allowed. | 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. |
| 'Tough enforcement' | |
| 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. | 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." | 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. | She said "clearer rules and tough enforcement" was needed to boost public confidence and parliament's reputation. |
| It is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer's expense Nick CleggLib Dems | |
| 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. | 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, who claimed thousands of pounds in allowances for the house his parents lived in, in his Harrow East constituency. | 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. |
| 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 is bringing forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards 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." |
| Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke said the stream of stories about MPs expenses had been "dreadful" for public confidence. | |
| "People should be sceptical about their politicians - don't regard them as heroes - but now we have an exaggerated public view that they are all thieves, they are all rogues, they are all lining their own pockets. | |
| "Two thirds of them, I am quite sure, are doing nothing improper at all - at least two thirds I hope." | |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who will publish his own reform proposals this week, said: "It is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer's expense. | |
| "To say this is within the rules will only serve to convince the public that the rules are broken and need to be fixed as soon as possible." |