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Speaker pledges expenses action Three MPs to investigate expenses
(about 5 hours later)
The Speaker of the House of Commons has told MPs that an "acceptable solution" must be found to the issue of expenses. Three MPs will carry out an inquiry into all aspects of MPs' expenses, after days of allegations of improper use of public money, the BBC learns.
In a statement, Michael Martin said the estimates committee, which he chairs, would be "discussing urgently how to proceed" later on Monday. Earlier Commons Speaker Michael Martin said the estimates committee would seek a solution "as soon as is practicable".
It comes after husband and wife Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton defended using expenses for a flat, even though they had paid the mortgage. But committee members Sir Stuart Bell, Nick Harvey and David Maclean are not expected to report until the autumn.
The statement also follows a furore over MP Derek Conway's expenses. It comes after MP Derek Conway had the Tory whip withdrawn over payments to his son out of his MP's allowance.
'Transparency' And husband and wife Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton have defended using expenses for a flat, even though they had paid the mortgage.
Mr Martin said "several" MPs had "expressed deep concerns about members' allowances". 'Deep concerns'
In a statement earlier Mr Martin said the estimates committee, which he chairs, would be considering how to proceed "urgently" and said an "acceptable solution" must be found.
The BBC understands an inquiry will be carried out by committee members - Labour MP Sir Stuart, Lib Dem Mr Harvey, and David Maclean, a Conservative MP who tried to stop the Freedom of Information Act applying to members of the House of Commons.
We no longer own the flat and, in order to meet the objectives and terms of the trust, we are obliged to pay the full market rent The Wintertons
The estimates committee is writing to MPs to tell them of the inquiry.
Earlier Mr Martin said "several" MPs had "expressed deep concerns about members' allowances".
He added: "Similar anxiety about the system has been relayed to me privately. We must also take into account the public interest in public transparency."He added: "Similar anxiety about the system has been relayed to me privately. We must also take into account the public interest in public transparency."
Arrangement agreed
The cross-party estimates committee is likely to consider a ban on the recruitment of relatives to posts paid from public funds and is expected to look at suggestions for a full register of MPs' parliamentary staff.The cross-party estimates committee is likely to consider a ban on the recruitment of relatives to posts paid from public funds and is expected to look at suggestions for a full register of MPs' parliamentary staff.
We no longer own the flat and, in order to meet the objectives and terms of the trust, we are obliged to pay the full market rent The Wintertons
There is also a plan for the National Audit Office to check up to 10% of expenses claims.There is also a plan for the National Audit Office to check up to 10% of expenses claims.
Mr Martin's said MPs had expressed "deep concerns" over allowances
The Wintertons transferred their second home - a flat in London - to a trust, to which they said they paid rent of £21,600 per year.The Wintertons transferred their second home - a flat in London - to a trust, to which they said they paid rent of £21,600 per year.
They said they had agreed the arrangement with the Commons Fees Office at the time it was set up and would not have gone ahead unless this had been the case.They said they had agreed the arrangement with the Commons Fees Office at the time it was set up and would not have gone ahead unless this had been the case.
The Wintertons, who both represent constituencies in Cheshire, say the arrangement they made followed advice from their solicitor and accountants about their likely inheritance tax liability.The Wintertons, who both represent constituencies in Cheshire, say the arrangement they made followed advice from their solicitor and accountants about their likely inheritance tax liability.
"As a result of the advice given to us, we paid off the mortgage on the flat with the proceeds of a small legacy and an insurance policy which had just matured," their statement said."As a result of the advice given to us, we paid off the mortgage on the flat with the proceeds of a small legacy and an insurance policy which had just matured," their statement said.
They were then advised to put the flat into a trust, administered by their solicitor and themselves, on behalf of "the beneficiaries".They were then advised to put the flat into a trust, administered by their solicitor and themselves, on behalf of "the beneficiaries".
"We no longer own the flat and in order to meet the objectives and terms of the trust, we are obliged to pay the full market rent which is recommended by an independent valuer/estate agent," they said."We no longer own the flat and in order to meet the objectives and terms of the trust, we are obliged to pay the full market rent which is recommended by an independent valuer/estate agent," they said.
'Not a crook' Conway sons
A report last week by the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee said there was no record of Mr Conway's younger son Freddie, a full-time student at Newcastle University, doing work at Westminster for him in return for £40,000 of taxpayers' money.A report last week by the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee said there was no record of Mr Conway's younger son Freddie, a full-time student at Newcastle University, doing work at Westminster for him in return for £40,000 of taxpayers' money.
Mr Conway insists both Freddie, 22, and Henry 25, whom he employed earlier, did the job they were paid for.Mr Conway insists both Freddie, 22, and Henry 25, whom he employed earlier, did the job they were paid for.
The Old Bexley and Sidcup MP, who says he will stand down at the next election, has insisted he did not break the rules, telling the Mail on Sunday: "I am not a crook...I still believe I have done nothing wrong." Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon is also expected to decide this week whether to instigate a second inquiry into Mr Conway, focusing on payments to Henry.
Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon is also expected to decide this week whether to instigate a second inquiry into Mr Conway, focusing on payments to his elder son Henry.
Reports have suggested that Scotland Yard may be delaying a decision on whether to launch an investigation into fraud allegations until Mr Lyon has made clear how he intends to proceed.Reports have suggested that Scotland Yard may be delaying a decision on whether to launch an investigation into fraud allegations until Mr Lyon has made clear how he intends to proceed.
The leaders of all three major political parties have urged MPs to reveal whether they employ family members, resulting in almost 180 confirming that they do.The leaders of all three major political parties have urged MPs to reveal whether they employ family members, resulting in almost 180 confirming that they do.
Tory MP Ben Wallace has published his expenses in full, including payments to his researcher wife Liza.Tory MP Ben Wallace has published his expenses in full, including payments to his researcher wife Liza.
Ex-cabinet minister Peter Hain confirmed that his mother, Adelaine, 80, works for him as a part-time secretary and was paid £5,400 last year.Ex-cabinet minister Peter Hain confirmed that his mother, Adelaine, 80, works for him as a part-time secretary and was paid £5,400 last year.