Kirkbride and Moran to stand down
Updated on 28 May 2009
Conservative MP Julie Kirkbride and Labour MP Margaret Moran both announce that they will stand down at the next election following intense pressure over their expenses claims
Ms Kirkbride's announcement followed further allegations about her second home claims. They included a £50,000 bill for an extension to provide an extra bedroom for her brother, who she says was living with her to help as a child carer.
Bromsgrove MP Ms Kirkbride followed her husband, Andrew MacKay, in announcing her departure from parliament at the next general election. The couple came under fire when it emerged that Commons allowances had been used to simultaneously fund both the homes where they lived.
In a resignation letter to party leader David Cameron, Ms Kirkbride wrote: "Today I am announcing that I will not seek re-election for my Bromsgrove constituency. My principal concern has to be for my very loyal local supporters in Bromsgrove whose trust in me has been very humbling in the last few weeks.
At the same time, Luton South Labour MP Margaret Moran also announced she will also stand down at the next election, after it was disclosed that she claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot at her partner's home in Southampton, 100 miles from both her constituency and Westminster.
In a statement, she said: "The understandable public anger over the issue of MP's expenses has caused me great stress and has seriously worsened my existing health problem.
"It is with great sadness that I have today informed the general secretary of the Labour Party following discussion with my family that I intend to stand down as a MP for Luton South at the next general election."
Ms Moran is one of four Labour MPs under investigation by the party's "Star Chamber" endorsements panel set up to scrutinise controversial expenses claims. In her statement, she insisted she had done nothing wrong and had been acting on incorrect advice given to her by the Commons Fees Office.
The Daily Telegraph also revealed, 21 days after it first broke the MPs’ expenses story, how another Tory MP, Sir John Butterfill, claimed £17,000 towards a home for his gardener. He has agreed to refund more than £20,000 for the claims he made for his staff annex and repairs on the Bournemouth flat.
