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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| MP pair to step down at election | MP pair to step down at election |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton are to stand down as MPs at the next general election, the couple have announced. | Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton are to stand down as MPs at the next general election, the couple have announced. |
| The husband and wife Tory backbenchers said they could not maintain the "hectic pace" of politics and wanted to spend more time with their family. | The husband and wife Tory backbenchers said they could not maintain the "hectic pace" of politics and wanted to spend more time with their family. |
| Sir Nicholas, 71, and Lady Winterton, 68, were judged to have broken MPs' expense rules in 2008 when claiming for rent on a second home owned by a trust. | Sir Nicholas, 71, and Lady Winterton, 68, were judged to have broken MPs' expense rules in 2008 when claiming for rent on a second home owned by a trust. |
| It is not known if the expenses row featured in the couple's decision. | It is not known if the expenses row featured in the couple's decision. |
| Sir Nicholas has been MP for Macclesfield in Cheshire for 37 years, while his wife has represented neighbouring Congleton for almost 26. | |
| They announced their retirement in a letter to party leader David Cameron. | They announced their retirement in a letter to party leader David Cameron. |
| Tax advice | |
| Meanwhile, in the current round of allegations about MPs' expenses, the Daily Telegraph claims Chancellor Alistair Darling is among nine cabinet members who used £11,000 of taxpayers' money to pay for personal accountancy advice. | |
| It says he, Jacqui Smith, Hazel Blears, David Miliband, James Purnell, Douglas Alexander, Geoff Hoon and Hilary Benn all claimed for tax return processing. | |
| Mr Darling said he was seeking advice on making sure he paid the right amount of tax. |