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Darling to repay service charges Darling to repay service charges
(10 minutes later)
Chancellor Alastair Darling is to repay about £700 of expenses following fresh allegations about his allowances.Chancellor Alastair Darling is to repay about £700 of expenses following fresh allegations about his allowances.
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.
Mr Darling said it was "untrue" he had claimed for two properties at once but would repay the flat's service charges for September to December 2007.Mr Darling said it was "untrue" he had claimed for two properties at once but would repay the flat's service charges for September to December 2007.
Gordon Brown had earlier said he did not think the claim had "substance".Gordon Brown had earlier said he did not think the claim had "substance".
It came during a BBC Radio 4 Today programme interview in which Mr Brown also said he was "staying on" to "clean up" politics.It came during a BBC Radio 4 Today programme interview in which Mr Brown also said he was "staying on" to "clean up" politics.
Sacking callSacking call
The Daily Telegraph reports that in July 2007, shortly after he became chancellor and moved into Downing Street, 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 for the period to December 2007.
The paper says the charge covered a six-month period to December 2007 during which he began to claim second home allowances for his grace-and-favour home too. But in September 2007 he moved into the chancellor's grace-and-favour home and made claims there.
A spokesman for Mr Darling, who represents Edinburgh South West, said the report was wrong.A spokesman for Mr Darling, who represents Edinburgh South West, said the report was wrong.
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"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."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 - including a number of switches of his designated second home and claims for accountants fees - had been within the rules.The chancellor, however, has always said his use of allowances - including a number of switches of his designated second home and claims for accountants fees - had been within the rules.
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.