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_politics/8062786.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Voters can demand I go, says MP MP sorry for 'jealousy' outburst
(about 1 hour later)
A Labour MP says he will stand down at the next election if his constituents demand it, following allegations over his second home expenses claims. A Tory MP has apologised for a BBC interview in which he said critics of his expenses claims were simply "jealous" of his country house.
The Daily Telegraph says Dr Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP, claimed for a London flat while his daughter and her partner lived there rent-free. Anthony Steen, who the Daily Telegraph said had claimed more than £87,000 over four years for the home, admitted his remarks were "inappropriate".
Tory MP Peter Luff believes he kept to the rules, after reportedly claiming £17,000 on home items over four years. Meanwhile, Labour MP Ian Gibson says he will stand down at the next election if his constituents demand it.
Three Tories and one Labour MP are to stand down owing to the expenses row. The paper said he claimed for a flat in which his daughter lived rent-free.
Tory MP Peter Luff has also said he believes he kept to the rules, after reportedly claiming £17,000 on home items over four years.
'Deeply upset'
In an interview with Radio 4's The World At One on Wednesday, Mr Steen suggested his critics were envious because he lived in a large house that resembled Royal residence Balmoral, and had trees in the grounds that needed lopping.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague described Mr Steen's comments as "ridiculous".
Mr Steen later said he was "deeply upset" during the interview and over-reacted.
During the interview, the 69-year-old former barrister claimed ministers had "mucked up the system" by introducing the Freedom of Information Act.
He added: "What right does the public have to interfere with my private life? None."
However, in a statement on Thursday, he apologised for his comments.
Mr Steen said he had been "deeply upset with the situation which resulted in me overreacting".
He said: "I am sorry that in the heat of the moment I said inappropriate things that weren't as measured as I would have liked about the Freedom of Information Act, which I entirely support."
Mr Steen has said he will stand down at the next election. Two other Tories and one Labour MP have said they will do the same.
The Commons Speaker Michael Martin has also announced that he will step down on 21 June after facing criticism over his handling of the expenses issue.The Commons Speaker Michael Martin has also announced that he will step down on 21 June after facing criticism over his handling of the expenses issue.
Ben Chapman became the first Labour MP to say he would not contest the next general election following allegations that he was reimbursed for a loan that had been paid off. Mr Chapman insists he has done nothing wrong.Ben Chapman became the first Labour MP to say he would not contest the next general election following allegations that he was reimbursed for a loan that had been paid off. Mr Chapman insists he has done nothing wrong.
I don't want any sympathy, I don't deserve it I'm sure Conservative MP Peter Luff class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8063005.stm">MP's fears of expenses 'suicide' class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8062640.stm">Hague warns MPs of 'fraud risk' class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8060896.stm">Time for a Westminster revolution? Tories Douglas Hogg and Sir Peter Viggers have also announced their intention to step down after they were criticised.
Three Conservatives, Anthony Steen, Douglas Hogg and Sir Peter Viggers, have also announced their intention to step down after they were criticised for their expenses claims. Dr Gibson's daughter and her partner lived in the flat rent free
MP David Chaytor has been suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party amid allegations he claimed money for a mortgage he had already paid off, and former farming minister Elliot Morley has also been suspended.MP David Chaytor has been suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party amid allegations he claimed money for a mortgage he had already paid off, and former farming minister Elliot Morley has also been suspended.
Among the latest reports on Friday, the Telegraph says Mr Gibson sold the London flat to his daughter and her partner for less than he paid and well below the market value. Among the latest revelations on Friday, the Telegraph says Mr Gibson sold the London flat to his daughter and her partner for less than he paid and well below the market value.
He is reported to have sold the flat to them in April for £162,000, despite having bought it for £195,000 in 1999.He is reported to have sold the flat to them in April for £162,000, despite having bought it for £195,000 in 1999.
Mr Gibson has insisted he acted within the rules and "made nothing on the house whatsoever".Mr Gibson has insisted he acted within the rules and "made nothing on the house whatsoever".
Lost confidenceLost confidence
But when asked if he would stand down if constituents wanted that to happen, Mr Gibson replied: "Of course you would do that. It's only your constituents who matter. But when asked if he would stand down if constituents wanted that to happen, Mr Gibson replied: "Of course you would do that. It's only your constituents who matter."
"I spend my life working for constituents and would like to continue, but if you have lost their confidence then you have lost their confidence." I don't want any sympathy, I don't deserve it I'm sure Conservative MP Peter Luff class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8063005.stm">MP's fears of expenses 'suicide' class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8062640.stm">Hague warns MPs of 'fraud risk' class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8060896.stm">Time for a Westminster revolution?
Mr Luff has also come under scrutiny by the Telegraph, which alleges that he claimed for £17,000 on household goods over four years.Mr Luff has also come under scrutiny by the Telegraph, which alleges that he claimed for £17,000 on household goods over four years.
This included nearly £1,000 for two separate china sets, as well as a request for a £1,583 dining room table which was rejected.This included nearly £1,000 for two separate china sets, as well as a request for a £1,583 dining room table which was rejected.
Claims were made for a Worcester house, before a London flat was designated Mr Luff's second home and further expenses claimed, according to the Telegraph.Claims were made for a Worcester house, before a London flat was designated Mr Luff's second home and further expenses claimed, according to the Telegraph.
Mr Luff told the newspaper he believed he had acted within the "letter and spirit of the rules" but would repay any money if his judgement was proved to be wrong.Mr Luff told the newspaper he believed he had acted within the "letter and spirit of the rules" but would repay any money if his judgement was proved to be wrong.
The MP for Mid-Worcestershire also told the BBC he was "really appalled" by the allegations.The MP for Mid-Worcestershire also told the BBC he was "really appalled" by the allegations.
"I don't want any sympathy, I don't deserve it I'm sure," he said."I don't want any sympathy, I don't deserve it I'm sure," he said.
"But, you know, for the first time when I moved to the flat we bought second hand stuff from Worcester. "But, you know, for the first time when I moved to the flat we bought second-hand stuff from Worcester.
"My wife ran up curtains herself, we didn't charge any of that. After a few years it started running out, getting tacky, breaking - we replaced it.""My wife ran up curtains herself, we didn't charge any of that. After a few years it started running out, getting tacky, breaking - we replaced it."
Also published in the Telegraph are financial details of the Tory MP for St Albans, Anne Main.Also published in the Telegraph are financial details of the Tory MP for St Albans, Anne Main.
The paper alleges she spent £40,000 on a second home in St Albans, where her daughter Claire lives, about 25 miles from her family's detached main home in Beaconsfield.The paper alleges she spent £40,000 on a second home in St Albans, where her daughter Claire lives, about 25 miles from her family's detached main home in Beaconsfield.
It also claims that public records show Mrs Main's daughter has lived at the property rent-free for up to three years.It also claims that public records show Mrs Main's daughter has lived at the property rent-free for up to three years.
Mrs Main told the paper she had done nothing wrong.Mrs Main told the paper she had done nothing wrong.
'Unbearable' atmosphere'Unbearable' atmosphere
A public meeting is to be held in Bracknell later to decide the future of Conservative MP Andrew MacKay.A public meeting is to be held in Bracknell later to decide the future of Conservative MP Andrew MacKay.
He quit as parliamentary aide to David Cameron over what the party said was an "unacceptable" expenses claim.He quit as parliamentary aide to David Cameron over what the party said was an "unacceptable" expenses claim.
The Telegraph reported that he and his wife, fellow Tory MP Julie Kirkbride, had been effectively claiming the second home allowance for mortgage interest payments on two properties - one in London and another in the Midlands.The Telegraph reported that he and his wife, fellow Tory MP Julie Kirkbride, had been effectively claiming the second home allowance for mortgage interest payments on two properties - one in London and another in the Midlands.
Mr Luff says his claims have been misrepresented
Mr MacKay is to meet his constituents to explain the situation.Mr MacKay is to meet his constituents to explain the situation.
Meanwhile, Tory MP Nadine Dorries has written in her internet blog that the atmosphere in Westminster amid the current row is "unbearable".Meanwhile, Tory MP Nadine Dorries has written in her internet blog that the atmosphere in Westminster amid the current row is "unbearable".
She said: "People are constantly checking to see if others are OK. Everyone fears a suicide. If someone isn't seen, offices are called and checked."She said: "People are constantly checking to see if others are OK. Everyone fears a suicide. If someone isn't seen, offices are called and checked."
The Telegraph has accused Ms Dorries of spending only free weekends and holidays in the property she calls her main home. It said her claim of £18,000 in rent on the property she designates as her second home was therefore unjustified. The Telegraph has accused Ms Dorries of spending only free weekends and holidays in the property she calls her main home.
The MP for Mid Bedfordshire has refused to clarify publicly what she considers to be her main home, but released a statement on her blog explaining her various living arrangements. However, Ms Dorries said she had acted within the rules.