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Darling in further expense claims Darling in further expense claims
(10 minutes later)
Chancellor Alastair Darling is facing further potentially damaging allegations about his expenses.Chancellor Alastair Darling is facing further potentially damaging allegations about his expenses.
The Daily Telegraph says he claimed for costs on a flat in south London while claiming allowances on his grace-and-favour home in Downing Street.The Daily Telegraph says he claimed for costs on a flat in south London while claiming allowances on his grace-and-favour home in Downing Street.
A spokeswoman for Mr Darling vehemently denied that any rules had been broken. A spokesman for Mr Darling said the allegations were "simply untrue".
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has declared that he would refuse to step down, even if Labour fares badly in this week's local and European elections.Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has declared that he would refuse to step down, even if Labour fares badly in this week's local and European elections.
The Telegraph also reports that former Conservative leader, Michael Howard, claimed more than £17,000 for "gardening services" at his second home in Kent over four years.The Telegraph also reports that former Conservative leader, Michael Howard, claimed more than £17,000 for "gardening services" at his second home in Kent over four years.
Mr Howard said the report was not true and the claim was for a variety of maintenance costs, including work done to his home. He insisted the claim was within the rules.Mr Howard said the report was not true and the claim was for a variety of maintenance costs, including work done to his home. He insisted the claim was within the rules.
Sacking callSacking call
The Daily Telegraph reports that in July 2007, shortly after he became chancellor, Mr Darling submitted a claim of £1,000 for the service charge on his south London flat.The Daily Telegraph reports that in July 2007, shortly after he became chancellor, Mr Darling submitted a claim of £1,000 for the service charge on his south London flat.
The paper says the charge covered a six-month period, during which he began to claim second home allowances for his grace-and-favour home too.The paper says the charge covered a six-month period, during which he began to claim second home allowances for his grace-and-favour home too.
A spokeswoman for Mr Darling said the report was wrong and the chancellor made no claims for his grace-and-favour flat. A spokesman for Mr Darling said the report was wrong.
"The allegation of double claiming is simply untrue. He paid the bills due for his flat until he moved out in September 2007 after which he made no further claims for it," he said.
Before this story appeared, the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had already called for Mr Darling to be sacked because of his expenses claims, saying his finances had to be beyond reproach.Before this story appeared, the Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had already called for Mr Darling to be sacked because of his expenses claims, saying his finances had to be beyond reproach.
The chancellor, however, has always said his use of allowances had been within the rules.The chancellor, however, has always said his use of allowances had been within the rules.
On Sunday Gordon Brown announced a raft of constitutional reforms such as a bill of rights and possibly voting reform.On Sunday Gordon Brown announced a raft of constitutional reforms such as a bill of rights and possibly voting reform.
Conservative leader David Cameron said that reform, while welcome, should not be rushed, and voters should have their say now in a general election.Conservative leader David Cameron said that reform, while welcome, should not be rushed, and voters should have their say now in a general election.
BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said Labour was bracing itself for a tough time at the polls at Thursday's local and European elections.BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said Labour was bracing itself for a tough time at the polls at Thursday's local and European elections.
On Sunday, Gordon Brown was asked if he would step down before the next general election if Cabinet members asked him to - his response was a blunt "no".On Sunday, Gordon Brown was asked if he would step down before the next general election if Cabinet members asked him to - his response was a blunt "no".