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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.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.Mr Hoon, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and minister Tony McNulty have all found their second homes expenses scrutinised in recent weeks.
Homes redesignatedHomes 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 HarmanThere 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''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" were 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 DemsIt 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.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". Mr Darling told the BBC that 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. 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."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.""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.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.""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."