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Tory MP defends expenses claims Tory MP claimed £500 for petunias
(20 minutes later)
A Conservative MP has defended his expenses claims after the Daily Telegraph said he spent £500 on pot plants and bushes at his London flat. A Conservative MP has defended claiming £500 for petunias and fuchsia for his London flat, in the latest Daily Telegraph expenses claim leak.
The paper said John Greenway, the MP for Ryedale, North Yorks, claimed for petunias and fuchsia for a flat which he later sold for a large profit. The paper said John Greenway, the MP for Ryedale, North Yorks, claimed items for a flat later sold for a big profit.
Parliamentary rules state that MPs can only claim for garden maintenance.
Mr Greenway said he paid capital gains tax on the flat sale and all his claims were made in good faith and approved.Mr Greenway said he paid capital gains tax on the flat sale and all his claims were made in good faith and approved.
Tory casualties Separately, Telegraph journalist Simon Heffer said he may stand against Tory MP Sir Alan Haselhurst at the election.
Possible challenge
Mr Heffer said he would consider opposing Sir Alan, MP for Saffron Walden, unless he repaid £12,000 in public money he reportedly claimed for gardening work at his country house.
If Sir Alan thinks I am joking, I warn him I am not Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph journalist
Sir Alan should admit his error and apologise for making the claims, Mr Heffer said, or he would stand against the longstanding MP as an independent.
Sir Alan is currently Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and a candidate to replace outgoing Speaker Michael Martin.
"If Sir Alan thinks I am joking, I warn him I am not," Mr Heffer, an associate editor and columnist, wrote in the paper.
"I have backers and volunteers."
Sir Alan has said his claims were within the rules but acknowledged the public had a right to question them.
A host of Conservatives and MPs from other parties have agreed to repay thousands of pounds towards the cost of claims made between 2004 and 2008 which although approved at the time, are now accepted to have been inappropriate.
A clutch of Conservative MPs have been forced to stand down at the next election after being criticised for their use of taxpayers' money in claiming expenses.A clutch of Conservative MPs have been forced to stand down at the next election after being criticised for their use of taxpayers' money in claiming expenses.
Labour hearings
Four Labour MPs have been told they have to appear before a party disciplinary panel to explain their conduct over their expenses or face losing Labour support at the next election.Four Labour MPs have been told they have to appear before a party disciplinary panel to explain their conduct over their expenses or face losing Labour support at the next election.
Elliot Morley and Margaret Moran had been due to appear before the National Executive Committee's special endorsements panel on Tuesday although it is not clear whether either will be able to attend.Elliot Morley and Margaret Moran had been due to appear before the National Executive Committee's special endorsements panel on Tuesday although it is not clear whether either will be able to attend.
According to the latest revelations in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Greenway used his second home allowance to claim for £3,500 in household goods and furnishings.According to the latest revelations in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Greenway used his second home allowance to claim for £3,500 in household goods and furnishings.
It said he claimed for £1,900 on redecorating the hall, kitchen, bathroom and stairs in 2004-5 and 2005-6 as well as £500 on pot plants and, among other items, £24 for a lavatory brush. It said he claimed for £1,900 on redecorating the hall, kitchen, bathroom and stairs in 2004-5 and 2005-6 as well as £500 on pot plants and, among other items, £24 for a lavatory brush and 59p for two boxes of firelighters.
Parliamentary rules state that MPs can only claim for garden maintenance.
It said Mr Greenway and his wife bought the property for £211,000, selling it for £493,000 for 2006.It said Mr Greenway and his wife bought the property for £211,000, selling it for £493,000 for 2006.
As well as paying capital gains tax, Mr Greenway said he did not claim for any moving or stamp duty costs in relation to the sale.As well as paying capital gains tax, Mr Greenway said he did not claim for any moving or stamp duty costs in relation to the sale.
He told the newspaper that, in his 22 years in Parliament, he had made all his claims in "good faith" and that they had all been approved by the Commons authorities.He told the newspaper that, in his 22 years in Parliament, he had made all his claims in "good faith" and that they had all been approved by the Commons authorities.
The redecoration was needed to address normal wear and tear in the property while Mr Greenway said his spending in his second home was on a par with that in his main residence.The redecoration was needed to address normal wear and tear in the property while Mr Greenway said his spending in his second home was on a par with that in his main residence.