UK. MP family expense claims revealed

The latest revelations in the Sunday Telegraph have shown how MPs have been able to claim extra expenses by employing members of their family. Some have received money for a main home as well as a second home because spouses use it for parliamentary work. UK. MP family expense claims revealed London MP Derek Conway, who lost the Tory whip, claimed on a house 330 miles from his constituency, the paper says. And Malcolm Bruce, the president of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, claimed for his London flat and a home in Scotland. The Telegraph said the MP, who employs his wife, Rosemary, was paid nearly £3,100 towards his Scottish home as well as more than £61,186 for his London property between April 2006 and March 2008. Bruce said he done nothing "improper", adding: "I've always claimed the actual costs that I've incurred for providing an office for my wife to work from. "The fact is I'm meticulous in making sure that I claim retrospectively for the costs I've incurred, wholly and exclusively for the purposes for which they're provided." The information about Mr Bruce's expenses is among the paper's latest set of revelations, which focused on the employment of family members by MPs, and the expenses which related to this practice. They show how Derek Conway, who had the Tory whip withdrawn last year after being reprimanded by the Commons' Standards and Privileges Committee for overpaying his sons, received thousands of pounds for two family homes. He claimed taxpayers' money on a family house in Northumberland after telling Commons officials he did Parliamentary work there, even though it is 330 miles away from his Commons seat of Old Bexley and Sidcup, in south-east London, the paper said. The paper also alleges Michael Clapham, Labour MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, claimed £210 for a pair of glasses for his wife and assitant, Yvonne, on his taxpayer-funded office allowance. Clapham also claimed £694.93 on the office budget for dinner services and £19.97 for an iron, the paper said. The revelations over MPs' expense claims reported in the Telegraph have led to considerable political fall-out. In the latest developments on Saturday, Tory MP Andrew MacKay, embroiled in a expenses row, said he would step down at the next general election. The MP for Bracknell, Berkshire, made the announcement on after a conversation with the Conservative leader, David Cameron. MacKay had already resigned as Cameron's aide because he and his wife, Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, both claimed second home allowances. She is now having to defend herself against newspaper claims her brother lives rent-free in one of the homes. Earlier she said: "To describe this arrangement as my brother living rent-free is a total distortion." The Conservatives have the highest number of casualties, including Douglas Hogg, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Sir Peter Viggers, MP for Gosport, Totnes MP Anthony Steen. Labour has seen Commons speaker Michael Martin resign and Shahid Malik step down as justice minister. Two others, former agriculture minister Elliot Morley and backbencher David Chaytor, have been suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party. Earlier on Saturday, senior Labour MP Ian McCartney, for Makerfield, announced he would be standing down at the next election due to poor health. On Friday, Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith, also said he was also standing down due to his health and a wish to spend more time with his family.

UK. MP family expense claims revealed

London MP Derek Conway, who lost the Tory whip, claimed on a house 330 miles from his constituency, the paper says.

And Malcolm Bruce, the president of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, claimed for his London flat and a home in Scotland.

The Telegraph said the MP, who employs his wife, Rosemary, was paid nearly £3,100 towards his Scottish home as well as more than £61,186 for his London property between April 2006 and March 2008.

Bruce said he done nothing "improper", adding: "I've always claimed the actual costs that I've incurred for providing an office for my wife to work from.

"The fact is I'm meticulous in making sure that I claim retrospectively for the costs I've incurred, wholly and exclusively for the purposes for which they're provided."

The information about Mr Bruce's expenses is among the paper's latest set of revelations, which focused on the employment of family members by MPs, and the expenses which related to this practice.

They show how Derek Conway, who had the Tory whip withdrawn last year after being reprimanded by the Commons' Standards and Privileges Committee for overpaying his sons, received thousands of pounds for two family homes.

He claimed taxpayers' money on a family house in Northumberland after telling Commons officials he did Parliamentary work there, even though it is 330 miles away from his Commons seat of Old Bexley and Sidcup, in south-east London, the paper said.

The paper also alleges Michael Clapham, Labour MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, claimed £210 for a pair of glasses for his wife and assitant, Yvonne, on his taxpayer-funded office allowance.

Clapham also claimed £694.93 on the office budget for dinner services and £19.97 for an iron, the paper said.

The revelations over MPs' expense claims reported in the Telegraph have led to considerable political fall-out.

In the latest developments on Saturday, Tory MP Andrew MacKay, embroiled in a expenses row, said he would step down at the next general election.

The MP for Bracknell, Berkshire, made the announcement on after a conversation with the Conservative leader, David Cameron.

MacKay had already resigned as Cameron's aide because he and his wife, Julie Kirkbride, MP for Bromsgrove, both claimed second home allowances.

She is now having to defend herself against newspaper claims her brother lives rent-free in one of the homes.

Earlier she said: "To describe this arrangement as my brother living rent-free is a total distortion."

The Conservatives have the highest number of casualties, including Douglas Hogg, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, Sir Peter Viggers, MP for Gosport, Totnes MP Anthony Steen.

Labour has seen Commons speaker Michael Martin resign and Shahid Malik step down as justice minister.

Two others, former agriculture minister Elliot Morley and backbencher David Chaytor, have been suspended by the Parliamentary Labour Party.

Earlier on Saturday, senior Labour MP Ian McCartney, for Makerfield, announced he would be standing down at the next election due to poor health.

On Friday, Vale of Glamorgan MP John Smith, also said he was also standing down due to his health and a wish to spend more time with his family.