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MPs 'claimed for swimming pools' MPs 'claimed for swimming pools'
(13 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.
The newspaper has highlighted what it calls the most extravagant claims published yet in its series of stories based on leaked MPs' receipts.The newspaper has highlighted what it calls the most extravagant claims published yet in its series of stories based on leaked MPs' receipts.
Three MPs made claims relating to cleaning or repairs of swimming pools at their second homes, it alleges.Three MPs made claims relating to cleaning or repairs of swimming pools at their second homes, it alleges.
But Tory former minister Douglas Hogg denied asking for £2,000 to cover the cost of clearing a moat on his estate.But Tory former minister Douglas Hogg denied asking for £2,000 to cover the cost of clearing a moat on his estate.
The Daily Telegraph has already published claims made by Labour and Conservative frontbenchers in recent days - after details of all 646 MPs' claims were leaked. The Telegraph has already published claims made by Labour and Conservative frontbenchers in recent days - after details of all 646 MPs' claims were leaked.
Moat claimMoat claim
They were due to be published by Commons authorities in mid-July after they lost a Freedom of Information battle.They were due to be published by Commons authorities in mid-July after they lost a Freedom of Information battle.
That official publication date may now be brought forward - some MPs have claimed that information published by the Telegraph is not accurate.That official publication date may now be brought forward - some MPs have claimed that information published by the Telegraph is not accurate.
Sources say leader David Cameron is appalled by some of the allegations that have emerged and is considering taking disciplinary action against those involved. Sources say Conservative leader David Cameron is appalled by some of the allegations that have emerged and is considering taking disciplinary action against those involved.
The newspaper says the Conservative former minister Douglas Hogg submitted claims for more than £2,000 to clear a moat around his estate and £14,500 for a housekeeper. The newspaper says Mr 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.
But the MP told the BBC that while he claimed for a housekeeper he never asked to be reimbursed for the cost of cleaning the moat - it was simply mentioned in details of expenditure on his house. But Mr Hogg 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 was simply mentioned in details of expenditure on his house.
The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it Stewart Jackson MPThe pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it Stewart Jackson MP
He said all of his claims were made with the prior agreement of the fees office. He said all of his claims had been made with the prior agreement of the Commons fees office.
Deputy Speaker Alan Haslehurst 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 is reported to have claimed £142,000 on his country house, and £12,000 for gardening bills over five years.
He has told the BBC that he did claim for £142,000 and said he moved his second home allowance from London to his constituency when he became deputy speaker and believes that 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 for the upkeep of a swimming pool, but only did so once to learn how to do it himself.Conservative MP Stewart Jackson has confirmed that he made a claim for the upkeep of a swimming pool, but only did so once to learn how to do it himself.
"After moving into the constituency home in November 2005, I claimed £304.10 on a one-off basis for work on the swimming pool the following summer [August 2006]. He said: "After moving into the constituency home in November 2005, I claimed £304.10 on a one-off basis for work on the swimming pool the following summer [August 2006].
"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"."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".
Other allegations in Tuesday's newspaper include one that a senior backbencher claimed more than £7,000 for his garden, including hedgecutting for a "helipad" - he told the newspaper that was a family joke. Other allegations in Tuesday's newspaper include one that a senior backbencher claimed more than £7,000 for his garden, including hedge-cutting for a "helipad". He told the newspaper that was a family joke.
'Hollow apology''Hollow apology'
Other MPs are accused of claiming for mowing and rolling paddocks and one reportedly claimed £380 for horse manure and hundreds of bags of fertiliser.Other MPs are accused of claiming for mowing and rolling paddocks and one reportedly claimed £380 for horse manure and hundreds of bags of fertiliser.
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.
Ms Moran previously said the Southampton house was necessary for a "proper family life" because her partner has worked there for 20 years.
She now says she will repay the money because she understands constituents' anger about the payments.
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
On Monday Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on behalf of all political parties for MPs' expenses revelations over recent days. Tory leader David Cameron urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system. Ms Moran previously said the Southampton house was necessary for a "proper family life" because her partner had worked there for 20 years.
She 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. Mr Cameron urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system.
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.
BBC political correspondent Laura Kuenssberg said it was highly unlikely the Commons authorities would be able to get ahead of the Daily Telegraph in publishing expenses claims. 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.
She said many MPs were still deleting personal information from their receipts before forwarding them for publication.
Meanwhile, one Tory MP, Douglas Carswell, is seeking support for a motion of no confidence in the speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin.
He said he is seeking cross-party support for a vote of no confidence in Michael Martin over the way he has handled the expenses furore.