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/8041232.stm

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Minister in £25k security claim Minister in £25k security claim
(about 2 hours later)
Tourism minister Barbara Follett claimed more than £25,000 for security patrols at her London home after she was mugged, the Daily Telegraph claims. Tourism minister Barbara Follett claimed more than £25,000 for security patrols at her London home, the Daily Telegraph claims.
The wife of author Ken Follett and one of Parliament's richest MPs, she said the claims over a four-year period had been made within the rules. It is the latest in a string of expense claims leaks which MPs said were made with Commons approval.
It follows a day of revelations, which saw ministers defending claims saying all were made with Commons approval. The wife of author Ken Follett and one of Parliament's richest MPs, Mrs Follett said her claims for security had been made within the rules.
Police have been asked to probe how the details were leaked to the paper.Police have been asked to probe how the details were leaked to the paper.
'Disgusting reporting''Disgusting reporting'
In a further disclosure, the Telegraph says immigration minister Phil Woolas claimed for nappies and women's clothing on his expenses, an allegation he vehemently denies.In a further disclosure, the Telegraph says immigration minister Phil Woolas claimed for nappies and women's clothing on his expenses, an allegation he vehemently denies.
He says they were listed on a receipt for food which he submitted, but he did not receive any money for them.He says they were listed on a receipt for food which he submitted, but he did not receive any money for them.
The purchases I made were no more than was necessary to live in a habitable residence Care services minister Phil Hope
Mr Woolas called the Telegraph's reporting "absolutely disgusting" and said they were handling stolen property and making false allegations against ministers.Mr Woolas called the Telegraph's reporting "absolutely disgusting" and said they were handling stolen property and making false allegations against ministers.
He said he believed the newspaper's claims might be "actionable" and he was seeking legal advice.He said he believed the newspaper's claims might be "actionable" and he was seeking legal advice.
Needlepoint rug The paper reported that care services minister Phil Hope had spent more than £37,000 on refurbishing and furnishing a two-bedroom south London flat.
Ms Follett's total bill for security patrols between 2004 and 2008 was £25,411.64, the paper said. Mr Hope said: "I claimed the cost of running and furnishing a flat in London, in full accordance with the rules that apply to members of Parliament.
"The purchases I made were no more than was necessary to live in a habitable residence and replacements only occurred when furniture and fittings were worn out. These items were then disposed of.
"I have not personally benefited from this process, nor did I make purchases that were inappropriate for the property concerned."
Claims cleared
Mrs Follett's total bill for security patrols between 2004 and 2008 was £25,411.64, the paper said.
She told the BBC: "I claimed it, it's within the rules and I have no comment to make".She told the BBC: "I claimed it, it's within the rules and I have no comment to make".
She also claimed £528.75 for a Chinese needlepoint rug to be repaired and cleaned, but was only paid back £300 after it was deemed excessive, the Telegraph said.She also claimed £528.75 for a Chinese needlepoint rug to be repaired and cleaned, but was only paid back £300 after it was deemed excessive, the Telegraph said.
She told the newspaper: "As all of [my claims], bar one, have been accepted and cleared by the House of Commons Fees Office under the rules laid out in the Green Book, I have no further comment to make on them.She told the newspaper: "As all of [my claims], bar one, have been accepted and cleared by the House of Commons Fees Office under the rules laid out in the Green Book, I have no further comment to make on them.
It's not a matter of her wealth - it's a matter of how can you possibly claim this amount of money for protection when we have a police service Martin Bell, former independent MPIt's not a matter of her wealth - it's a matter of how can you possibly claim this amount of money for protection when we have a police service Martin Bell, former independent MP
"The item not accepted by the Fees Office was claimed in error and is, to the best of my knowledge, one of the only two occasions in the last 12 years when my expenses claims have been queried by them.""The item not accepted by the Fees Office was claimed in error and is, to the best of my knowledge, one of the only two occasions in the last 12 years when my expenses claims have been queried by them."
The former independent MP, Martin Bell, said he believed a few MPs would now have to resign, and others would have to accept major changes to their expenses.The former independent MP, Martin Bell, said he believed a few MPs would now have to resign, and others would have to accept major changes to their expenses.
"I think the more we know about this, the worse it gets. I think Barbara Follet is in an almost impossible situation now."I think the more we know about this, the worse it gets. I think Barbara Follet is in an almost impossible situation now.
"It's not a matter of her wealth, it's a matter of how can you possibly claim this amount of money for protection when we have a police service.""It's not a matter of her wealth, it's a matter of how can you possibly claim this amount of money for protection when we have a police service."
Other expense claims revealed earlier include a £6,500 claim by Gordon Brown to pay his brother for a cleaner. Downing Street has said there was "nothing wrong" with the claim.Other expense claims revealed earlier include a £6,500 claim by Gordon Brown to pay his brother for a cleaner. Downing Street has said there was "nothing wrong" with the claim.
And Lord Mandelson, who claimed £2,850 for his home, before quitting as an MP and selling it for a large profit, said the claims were for essential repairs.And Lord Mandelson, who claimed £2,850 for his home, before quitting as an MP and selling it for a large profit, said the claims were for essential repairs.