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Tory MPs called to expenses talks Cameron sets out expenses changes
(30 minutes later)
David Cameron has summoned Conservative MPs to a meeting in the House of Commons to outline his plans to change disclosure rules for use of expenses. David Cameron says all Tory front bench spokespeople will declare from July details of any Commons allowances spent - and any relatives they employ.
Some of the MPs were taking part in the Commons' annual pancake race when they received a pager or text messages saying they were "urged to attend". The Conservatives would publish details each April of the spending. Mr Cameron said he also hoped the rest of the party's MPs would follow suit.
The BBC understands Mr Cameron wants more transparency over the employment of relatives and other spending. He said the "public had the right to know" about the use of taxpayers money.
The meeting comes after days of claims of improper use of public money. The reforms come after MP Derek Conway was suspended from the Commons over payments to his son from public funds.
Tory MP Derek Conway had the Tory whip withdrawn and was suspended from the Commons for 10 days over payments to his son, Freddie, out of his MP's allowance. Mr Cameron unveiled his plans following a series of meetings with his shadow cabinet and backbench MPs.
Flat expenses Family employment
Some of the MPs were taking part in the Commons' annual pancake race when they received a pager or text message saying they were "urged to attend" a hurriedly arranged meeting ahead of Mr Cameron's statement to the press.
Mr Cameron said he wanted the declarations, to be made on a single form, to include whether any staff were family members and on what salary band they were being paid.
The announcement comes after days of claims of improper use of public money.
Mr Conway had the Tory whip withdrawn and was suspended from the Commons for 10 days over payments to his son, Freddie, out of his MP's allowance.
MPs are allowed to use public funds to employ relatives as secretaries or researchers, but at the moment there is no requirement to declare their employee is a relative.MPs are allowed to use public funds to employ relatives as secretaries or researchers, but at the moment there is no requirement to declare their employee is a relative.
Flat expenses
The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee said there was no record of Freddie Conway, a full-time student at Newcastle University, doing work at Westminster for Mr Conway in return for £40,000 of taxpayers' money.The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee said there was no record of Freddie Conway, a full-time student at Newcastle University, doing work at Westminster for Mr Conway in return for £40,000 of taxpayers' money.
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.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.
It also 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.It also 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.
The couple transferred their second home - a flat in London - to a trust, to which they said they paid rent of £21,600 per year.The couple transferred their second home - a flat in London - to a trust, to which they said they paid rent of £21,600 per year.
'Spot checks''Spot checks'
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.
It has since become known that well over 100 MPs employ a relative - including Labour's Peter Hain, who employs his 80-year-old mother as a part time secretary.It has since become known that well over 100 MPs employ a relative - including Labour's Peter Hain, who employs his 80-year-old mother as a part time secretary.
The meeting of Conservative MPs follows the launch of a "root and branch" inquiry into all aspects of MPs' expenses by the Commons estimates committee. On Monday the Commons estimates committee launched a "root and branch" inquiry into all aspects of MPs' expenses.
Its chairman, Commons Speaker Michael Martin, said the committee would be considering how to proceed "urgently" and said an "acceptable solution" must be found.Its chairman, Commons Speaker Michael Martin, said the committee would be considering how to proceed "urgently" and said an "acceptable solution" must be found.
The BBC has learned the 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.The BBC has learned the 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.
Options under discussion include "spot checks" on a selection of MPs by the National Audit Office, a ban on the recruitment of relatives to posts paid from public funds and a full register of MPs' parliamentary staff.Options under discussion include "spot checks" on a selection of MPs by the National Audit Office, a ban on the recruitment of relatives to posts paid from public funds and a full register of MPs' parliamentary staff.
The Lib Dems and Labour both say they back greater transparency over MPs' spending.The Lib Dems and Labour both say they back greater transparency over MPs' spending.