Cameron quizzed on expenses claims
Updated on 31 May 2009
David Cameron talks to Kirshnan Guru-Murthy about newspaper reports over his own expenses claims, saying he will repay any money if the scrutiny panel deem it unethical.
In an interview with Channel 4 News, David Cameron was questioned about his own mortgage arrangements.
The Mail on Sunday had claimed the leader of the opposition had paid off a loan on his London home shortly after taking out a £350,000 taxpayer-funded mortgage on his consistency house.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy asked the Conservative leader if he would repay any money if his party's scrutiny panel deemed it unethical.
"I obviously, like every other Conservative MP, will abide by anything the scrutiny panel that I've established set up.
"And remember my scrutiny panel is not like the House of Commons. It doesn't just go through and say, what were the rules at the time. It's actually trying to ask a deeper question, which is what is reasonable and what is right."
Cameron also rejected suggestions that Tory MPs caught up in the expenses scandal should be forced to hold by-elections.
"I want to maximize the pressure for a general election and a rash of by-elections will let the government off the hook."
Questioned on why he appeared to be tougher on Tory grandees like Sir Peter Viggers MP and Sir Anthony Steen MP than on shadow cabinet members such as shadow education secretary Michael Gove MP, Mr Cameron said, "It's difficult to be consistent, because we are in a difficult situtation where the rules themselves were bad. But I would argue my approach has been tough, firm, and consistent and fair."
On Michael Gove’s claims, Mr Cameron added, "He did make a big claim for furniture. That was completely with in the rules. I don't like that expression 'within the rules.' I know it drives people mad. But I think paying the money back, which he's done, is the appropriate thing to do."
"I don't think the hotel bill he claimed was reasonable. My personal view is that furniture should never have been on the list of available items."
