McNulty could face expenses probe
Updated on 23 March 2009
Employment minister Tony McNulty says he did not feel comfortable claiming money for his second home, so why did he do it? Andrew Thomas reports.
The cabinet minister could face investigation by the parliamentary standards commissioner, after a Tory MP made an official complaint about his expenses.
McNulty, who is facing pressure to repay taxpayers money he claimed for a second home, insists he did not break any rules by claiming £60,000 for the house in Harrow where his parents live, even though his own home is just nine miles away.
He says he no longer claims money for the house in his constituency where his parents live and that he had always felt discomfort about doing so.
Interview: Greg Hands, MP
Carl Dinnen interviews Greg Hands MP, the Tory minister who has made an official complaint to the standards commissioner about Tony McNulty's expenses.
"All of the arrangements you make, have to be above reproach and have to be defensible to people outside of parliament.
"I think this particular practice of Mr McNulty is totally indefensible.
"I'm asking the standards commissioner to investigate. I think at the very least it breaks the spirit of the rules and I think it's terrible for the reputation of MPs in parliament in general."
When asked if he agreed with Alan Duncan on whether MPs should be paid more instead of these expenses, he said
"I happen to think at the moment, there isn't much public demand for MPs to be paid a higher salary, but that's my own view."
