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Cameron warns 'jealousy' MP Steen Cameron warns 'jealousy' MP Steen
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron says he has warned Conservative MP Anthony Steen he will be expelled from the Parliamentary party if he steps out of line again.David Cameron says he has warned Conservative MP Anthony Steen he will be expelled from the Parliamentary party if he steps out of line again.
Mr Steen has apologised for an interview in which he said critics of his expenses claims were simply "jealous" of his country house.Mr Steen has apologised for an interview in which he said critics of his expenses claims were simply "jealous" of his country house.
Tory leader Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4 it was "an appalling thing to say".Tory leader Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4 it was "an appalling thing to say".
He added: "One more squeak like that and he will have the whip withdrawn so fast his feet won't touch the ground." He said Mr Steen - who has said he is standing down at the next election - was on a final warning.
Mr Steen, who the Daily Telegraph said had claimed more than £87,000 over four years for the home, admitted his remarks were "inappropriate". "I gave him a very clear instruction after that interview - one more squeak like that and he will have the whip taken away from him so fast his feet won't touch the ground," Mr Cameron told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"It was a completely unacceptable interview. It was a completely unacceptable thing to say. He's announced his retirement from Parliament."
Mr Cameron added that it was "incredibly frustrating when people say things like that" and if Mr Steen said anything like it again "or close to it" he would be kicked out of the Parliamentary party.
The Tory leader was reacting to an interview Mr Steen broadcast on Thursday's World at One, in which he was tackled about Daily Telegraph reports he had claimed more than £87,000 over four years for the home.
'Deeply upset''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. The MP 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". The 69-year-old former barrister claimed ministers had "mucked up the system" by introducing the Freedom of Information Act.
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."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. However, in a statement on Thursday, he apologised for his comments, saying they were "inappropriate".
Mr Steen said he had been "deeply upset with the situation which resulted in me overreacting".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."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."
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague described Mr Steen's comments as "ridiculous".
'Made nothing''Made nothing'
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.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.
It comes as Labour MP Ian Gibson is referred to a party panel to decide whether he should be deselected. The warning from Mr Cameron comes as Labour MP Ian Gibson was referred to a party panel to decide whether he should be deselected.
The Daily Telegraph said he claimed for a flat in which his daughter lived rent-free.The Daily Telegraph said he claimed for a flat in which his daughter lived rent-free.
Mr Gibson has already said that he is ready to stand down if voters in his Norwich North constituency want him to, although he insists he stuck to the rules.Mr Gibson has already said that he is ready to stand down if voters in his Norwich North constituency want him to, although he insists he stuck to the rules.
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. 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.
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.
Dr Gibson's daughter and her partner lived in the flat rent free
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.
Tories Douglas Hogg and Sir Peter Viggers have also announced their intention to step down after they were criticised.
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 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 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."
He is the fourth MP to be referred to the special panel set up by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee to consider allegations of excessive claims.He is the fourth MP to be referred to the special panel set up by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee to consider allegations of excessive claims.
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/8060896.stm">Time for a Westminster revolution? class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/8063395.stm">Labour MP may be forced to quit 'Letter and spirit'
The panel is already looking into the cases of Mr Morley, Mr Chaytor and Luton South MP Margaret Moran, who has agreed to pay back £20,000 claimed for treating dry rot at a house in Southampton.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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 Mrs Main's daughter has lived at her second home 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 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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
However, Ms Dorries said she had acted within the rules.