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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Over 70 Tory MPs employ relatives | Over 70 Tory MPs employ relatives |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Tory leader David Cameron has revealed at least 70 of his MPs employ family members - as he announced plans for greater "transparency" over expenses. | Tory leader David Cameron has revealed at least 70 of his MPs employ family members - as he announced plans for greater "transparency" over expenses. |
| From 1 April the Conservative front bench will have to register relatives working for them, said Mr Cameron. | From 1 April the Conservative front bench will have to register relatives working for them, said Mr Cameron. |
| He said it would be a "first step" towards more openness at Westminster. | He said it would be a "first step" towards more openness at Westminster. |
| The move comes after Tory MP Derek Conway was suspended from the Commons for overpaying his son Freddie for working as a researcher. | The move comes after Tory MP Derek Conway was suspended from the Commons for overpaying his son Freddie for working as a researcher. |
| 'Work hard' | 'Work hard' |
| In a statement, the Tory leader said: "I think there's a need for greater transparency or openness when it comes to MPs' pay and staff and expenses and allowances. | In a statement, the Tory leader said: "I think there's a need for greater transparency or openness when it comes to MPs' pay and staff and expenses and allowances. |
| "As a first step I will be asking my front bench colleagues from April this year to register, in the members' register of interests, whether they do employ any family. | "As a first step I will be asking my front bench colleagues from April this year to register, in the members' register of interests, whether they do employ any family. |
| What needs to happen more broadly is a change of culture at Westminster David Cameron | What needs to happen more broadly is a change of culture at Westminster David Cameron |
| "It would be a good first step. We want to show that MPs do work hard for their constituents and make good use of money." | "It would be a good first step. We want to show that MPs do work hard for their constituents and make good use of money." |
| Mr Cameron said the figure of "just over" 70 - out of a total of 193 - Tory MPs employing family members had come from a "ring around". | |
| Mr Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has already been censured for overpaying Freddie's parliamentary allowances and has apologised to MPs. | Mr Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has already been censured for overpaying Freddie's parliamentary allowances and has apologised to MPs. |
| He has had his party's whip withdrawn and says he will not fight the next election. | He has had his party's whip withdrawn and says he will not fight the next election. |
| 'Good job' | 'Good job' |
| MPs voted on Thursday to suspend Mr Conway for 10 days and ordered him to return £13,161 of the money. | MPs voted on Thursday to suspend Mr Conway for 10 days and ordered him to return £13,161 of the money. |
| At the moment there are no rules against employing relatives paid for out of an MPs' allowances, and there is no requirement for any such link to be declared. | At the moment there are no rules against employing relatives paid for out of an MPs' allowances, and there is no requirement for any such link to be declared. |
| Mr Cameron said: "I think there are many MPs who employ husbands or wives and do a very good job... | Mr Cameron said: "I think there are many MPs who employ husbands or wives and do a very good job... |
| "What needs to happen more broadly is a change of culture at Westminster." | "What needs to happen more broadly is a change of culture at Westminster." |
| On Thursday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said there should be greater transparency over MPs' expenses - but added that the Commons authorities should decide how to achieve it. | On Thursday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said there should be greater transparency over MPs' expenses - but added that the Commons authorities should decide how to achieve it. |
| Simon Hughes, for the Liberal Democrats said MPs should be banned from employing more than one family member, that they should be recruited openly and paid the "going rate". | Simon Hughes, for the Liberal Democrats said MPs should be banned from employing more than one family member, that they should be recruited openly and paid the "going rate". |
| He also called for equal pension rights for "registered partners" of MPs as well as spouses. | He also called for equal pension rights for "registered partners" of MPs as well as spouses. |