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MPs 'claimed for swimming pools' MPs 'claimed for swimming pools'
(20 minutes later)
The costs of swimming pool maintenance are among expenses claims by eight Tory MPs, according to the Daily Telegraph.The costs of swimming pool maintenance are among expenses claims by eight Tory MPs, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Its report, based on leaked receipts, also says claims were made for clearing a moat, buying horse manure and mowing and rolling paddocks.Its report, based on leaked receipts, also says claims were made for clearing a moat, buying horse manure and mowing and rolling paddocks.
Tory leader David Cameron is said to be considering disciplinary action.Tory leader David Cameron is said to be considering disciplinary action.
The latest allegations come as one MP has prepares a motion of no confidence in Commons Speaker Michael Martin over his handling of the expenses furore.The latest allegations come as one MP has prepares a motion of no confidence in Commons Speaker Michael Martin over his handling of the expenses furore.
The Telegraph has already published expenses claims made by Labour and Tory frontbenchers, including those for a lawnmower, dog food and changing light bulbs.The Telegraph has already published expenses claims made by Labour and Tory frontbenchers, including those for a lawnmower, dog food and changing light bulbs.
'Angry''Angry'
The latest stories relate mainly to backbench Conservative MPs.The latest stories relate mainly to backbench Conservative MPs.
Party leader David Cameron said: "I am angry about what has happened. It is out of order. Some of this is an abuse of taxpayers' money, and I am going to deal with it."Party leader David Cameron said: "I am angry about what has happened. It is out of order. Some of this is an abuse of taxpayers' money, and I am going to deal with it."
The Telegraph says former minister Douglas Hogg, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, submitted claims for more than £2,000 to clear a moat around his estate and £14,500 for a housekeeper.The Telegraph says former minister Douglas Hogg, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, submitted claims for more than £2,000 to clear a moat around his estate and £14,500 for a housekeeper.
The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP Speaker angry over expenses leak Boycott big parties, says TebbitThe pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP Speaker angry over expenses leak Boycott big parties, says Tebbit
But he told the BBC that, while he had claimed for a housekeeper, he had never asked to be reimbursed for the cost of cleaning the moat - it had simply been mentioned in details of expenditure on his house.But he told the BBC that, while he had claimed for a housekeeper, he had never asked to be reimbursed for the cost of cleaning the moat - it had simply been mentioned in details of expenditure on his house.
Mr Hogg said all of his claims had been made with the prior agreement of the Commons fees office.Mr Hogg said all of his claims had been made with the prior agreement of the Commons fees office.
Deputy Commons Speaker Alan Haslehurst, Tory MP for Saffron Walden, is reported to have claimed £142,000 on his country house, and £12,000 for gardening bills over five years.Deputy Commons Speaker Alan Haslehurst, Tory MP for Saffron Walden, is reported to have claimed £142,000 on his country house, and £12,000 for gardening bills over five years.
He told the BBC he had claimed for £142,000 and had moved his second home allowance from London to his constituency when he became deputy speaker and believed the claim was within the rules.He told the BBC he had claimed for £142,000 and had moved his second home allowance from London to his constituency when he became deputy speaker and believed the claim was within the rules.
Conservative MP Stewart Jackson has confirmed that he made a claim of £304.10 for the upkeep of a swimming pool.Conservative MP Stewart Jackson has confirmed that he made a claim of £304.10 for the upkeep of a swimming pool.
Boiler repairBoiler repair
But he added: "The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims. I take care of the pool myself. I believe this represents 'value for money' for the taxpayer."But he added: "The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims. I take care of the pool myself. I believe this represents 'value for money' for the taxpayer."
According to the Telegraph, former shadow defence secretary Michael Ancram claimed £98.58 for the repair of a swimming pool boiler.According to the Telegraph, former shadow defence secretary Michael Ancram claimed £98.58 for the repair of a swimming pool boiler.
It also alleges that James Arbuthnot, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, claimed £1,471 for garden and swimming pool costs, as well as £2,433 "for the expense of our housekeeper".It also alleges that James Arbuthnot, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, claimed £1,471 for garden and swimming pool costs, as well as £2,433 "for the expense of our housekeeper".
The newspaper says senior backbencher Sir Michael Spicer claimed more than £7,000 for his garden, including hedge-cutting for a "helipad". He told the newspaper that was a family joke.The newspaper says senior backbencher Sir Michael Spicer claimed more than £7,000 for his garden, including hedge-cutting for a "helipad". He told the newspaper that was a family joke.
HAVE YOUR SAYThey chose their 'job' and no one is forcing them to do it. Pay them a wage and that's it. That's how the rest of us work. Michael, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYThey chose their 'job' and no one is forcing them to do it. Pay them a wage and that's it. That's how the rest of us work. Michael, London Send us your comments
The Telegraph says David Heathcoat-Amory, Tory MP for Wells, claimed more than £380 for horse manure for his garden.The Telegraph says David Heathcoat-Amory, Tory MP for Wells, claimed more than £380 for horse manure for his garden.
It adds that former shadow home secretary David Davis claimed more than £2,000 on mowing and rolling his paddocks and £5,700 for a portico for his house in Yorkshire.It adds that former shadow home secretary David Davis claimed more than £2,000 on mowing and rolling his paddocks and £5,700 for a portico for his house in Yorkshire.
Meanwhile, Labour MP for Luton South Margaret Moran has issued a statement saying she will repay £22,500 used to treat dry rot at a property 100 miles from her constituency.Meanwhile, Labour MP for Luton South Margaret Moran has issued a statement saying she will repay £22,500 used to treat dry rot at a property 100 miles from her constituency.
She previously said the Southampton house was necessary for a "proper family life" because her partner had worked there for 20 years.She previously said the Southampton house was necessary for a "proper family life" because her partner had worked there for 20 years.
Ms Moran now says she will repay the money because she understands constituents' anger about the payments.Ms Moran now says she will repay the money because she understands constituents' anger about the payments.
On Monday Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on behalf of all political parties for MPs' expenses revelations over recent days, while Mr Cameron urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system.On Monday Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on behalf of all political parties for MPs' expenses revelations over recent days, while Mr Cameron urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system.
'Extremely upset''Extremely upset'
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it must not be a "hollow apology" and must be followed by real change.Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it must not be a "hollow apology" and must be followed by real change.
Tory MP Douglas Carswell is seeking support for a motion of no confidence in the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, over the way he has handled the expenses furore.Tory MP Douglas Carswell is seeking support for a motion of no confidence in the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, over the way he has handled the expenses furore.
Mr Carswell said he wanted the backing of six MPs before tabling his motion next week.
On Monday, Mr Martin took part in angry exchanges with Labour's Kate Hoey and Lib Dem Norman Baker, who have been critical of his actions.On Monday, Mr Martin took part in angry exchanges with Labour's Kate Hoey and Lib Dem Norman Baker, who have been critical of his actions.
He accused them of speaking to the press and leaving others to deal with the consequences.He accused them of speaking to the press and leaving others to deal with the consequences.
But Mr Baker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Mr Martin, in "attacking" MPs, "took off his umpire's hat and put on a player's hat".But Mr Baker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Mr Martin, in "attacking" MPs, "took off his umpire's hat and put on a player's hat".
On the same programme, former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit urged voters not to back any of the major political parties in next month's European elections, to show how "extremely upset" they are over the expenses furore.On the same programme, former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit urged voters not to back any of the major political parties in next month's European elections, to show how "extremely upset" they are over the expenses furore.
The latest opinion poll, by Populus for The Times, suggests falls in support of 4% in both Labour and Conservative support.The latest opinion poll, by Populus for The Times, suggests falls in support of 4% in both Labour and Conservative support.
Conducted by telephone over the weekend, it puts the Conservatives on 39% and Labour on 26%. The Lib Dems were up 4% to 22% and others up 4% to 13%.Conducted by telephone over the weekend, it puts the Conservatives on 39% and Labour on 26%. The Lib Dems were up 4% to 22% and others up 4% to 13%.