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MP 'claimed for own firm's flat' MP 'claimed for own firm's flat'
(about 4 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 has defended his actions after it was reported he claimed more than £50,000 in expenses to rent a flat from his own company.
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. Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, said he had acted "honestly and properly" regarding his claims and did not feel obliged to repay any money.
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 Daily Telegraph said his claims came despite a ban on MPs renting homes from firms they have an interest in.
Mr Binley told the BBC he acted with honesty and above board at all times. Mr Binley said he was happy to justify his actions to his constituents.
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. Rules change
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. Mr Binley said his rental arrangements were agreed before the ban came into force and represented a "very good deal" for the taxpayer.
Rules 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.
This place is not going to criminalise me Brian Binley
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 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.
'Honest and open'
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.
He said the appeal was legitimate and insisted that he had "acted correctly in every respect" during the process.
Since he moved, he was having to claim an extra £2,000 or £3,000 in expenses to pay for the new flat, he added.
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. "This place is not going to criminalise me," he said. "I have been honest and open about everything I have done."
Mr Binley said: "I face myself in the mirror every night. Brian Binley claimed £1,500 a month for more than three years during an appeal against a change in the rules
"I've got no concerns about it at the end of the day. That's the judgement." Tory leader David Cameron has said any MPs found to have made unjustified claims will have to repay the money and if they refuse, will lose the party whip.
Mr Binley said he would not repay any money and stated, "in this instance", he disagreed with Mr Cameron.
The Conservative leadership has not commented on Mr Binley's case and the MP said he did not expect to be asked by his leader to explain his actions.
The Tories are in the process of completing their internal review of all their MPs expenses.
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 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 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.