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MP 'claimed for own firm's flat' MP 'claimed for own firm's flat'
(about 3 hours later)
A Conservative MP claimed more than £50,000 in expenses to rent a flat from his own company, it has been reported.A Conservative MP claimed more than £50,000 in expenses to rent a flat from his own company, it has been reported.
The Daily Telegraph says Brian Binley, Northampton South MP, made the claims despite a ban on MPs renting homes from firms in which they have an interest.The Daily Telegraph says Brian Binley, Northampton South MP, made the claims despite a ban on MPs renting homes from firms in which they have an interest.
The paper says Mr Binley's appeal to Speaker Michael Martin against the ban took more than two years to process, during which time the claims continued.The paper says Mr Binley's appeal to Speaker Michael Martin against the ban took more than two years to process, during which time the claims continued.
Mr Binley told the BBC he acted with honesty and above board at all times.Mr Binley told the BBC he acted with honesty and above board at all times.
The latest claims by the Daily Telegraph came after Jim Devine became the fifth Labour MP to be barred from standing at the next election over his expenses claims.The latest claims by the Daily Telegraph came after Jim Devine became the fifth Labour MP to be barred from standing at the next election over his expenses claims.
The Livingston MP was accused of submitting receipts for £2,000 in electrical work from a firm which did not exist. He has denied any wrongdoing.The Livingston MP was accused of submitting receipts for £2,000 in electrical work from a firm which did not exist. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Rules changedRules changed
Mr Binley is chairman of a company called BCC Marketing and after he was elected as an MP in 2005, the firm bought a flat close to Westminster.Mr Binley is chairman of a company called BCC Marketing and after he was elected as an MP in 2005, the firm bought a flat close to Westminster.
According to the Telegraph, in early 2006, Mr Binley moved into that flat and began claiming £1,500 a month from parliamentary expenses to cover the rent.According to the Telegraph, in early 2006, Mr Binley moved into that flat and began claiming £1,500 a month from parliamentary expenses to cover the rent.
Two months later, Commons' rules were changed, making it explicit that MPs could no longer rent properties from businesses in which they had an interest.Two months later, Commons' rules were changed, making it explicit that MPs could no longer rent properties from businesses in which they had an interest.
Speaker Michael Martin will stand down on 21 JuneSpeaker Michael Martin will stand down on 21 June
At that point, Mr Binley was reportedly told by the Fees Office that his arrangement with BCC would have to end, but he appealed against that decision to the Speaker.At that point, Mr Binley was reportedly told by the Fees Office that his arrangement with BCC would have to end, but he appealed against that decision to the Speaker.
The process of appeal took almost two and a half years - a period in which the paper says Mr Binley continued claiming the money.The process of appeal took almost two and a half years - a period in which the paper says Mr Binley continued claiming the money.
Once the appeal was finally rejected, Mr Binley accepted the decision and moved out.Once the appeal was finally rejected, Mr Binley accepted the decision and moved out.
The MP told the BBC he had lodged an appeal because he did not want to move and because he did not think it was right to break the contractual arrangement that was in place with BCC.The MP told the BBC he had lodged an appeal because he did not want to move and because he did not think it was right to break the contractual arrangement that was in place with BCC.
In sometimes strong and colourful language, Mr Binley said he would not allow the Telegraph to "bring him down".In sometimes strong and colourful language, Mr Binley said he would not allow the Telegraph to "bring him down".
He added that since he had moved, he was having to claim an extra £2,000 or £3,000 in expenses to pay for the new flat.He added that since he had moved, he was having to claim an extra £2,000 or £3,000 in expenses to pay for the new flat.
The Telegraph's expenses stories have led to the resignation of nearly a dozen MPs, more than £300,000 in money repaid, and calls from across the political spectrum for root and branch reform of Parliament.The Telegraph's expenses stories have led to the resignation of nearly a dozen MPs, more than £300,000 in money repaid, and calls from across the political spectrum for root and branch reform of Parliament.
On Thursday, details of all MPs' expenses for the past four years will be published online.On Thursday, details of all MPs' expenses for the past four years will be published online.
The Commons will also here the final speech from Mr Martin, who is standing down as Speaker on 21 June following widespread criticism of his response to the issue of expenses. The Commons will also hear the final speech from Mr Martin, who is standing down as Speaker on 21 June following widespread criticism of his response to the issue of expenses.