Darling sucked into allowance row
By politics.co.uk staff
The chancellor has become the latest front bench MP to be sucked into the row over second home allowances.
He follows several of his colleagues, including Geoff Hoon, transport secretary, Jacqui Smith, home secretary, and Tony McNulty, employment minister, who are all embroiled in controversy over their use of taxpayer money.
But Alistair Darling’s spokesperson said he had broken no rules by claiming for an Edinburgh home, renting out his London flat, and living rent free in Number 11 Downing Street.
“Alistair Darling moved as chancellor into Downing St in 2007 – No 11 Downing Street became his main home – so his Edinburgh home was re-designated as his second home,” the spokesperson said.
“His own London home was rented out to cover costs and this was openly declared in the register of members’ interests.”
The set-up is not entirely dissimilar to that of Mr Hoon, who lives in a Whitehall flat, although he claimed his use of the flat saved the taxpayer the security costs of him staying in private accommodation.
Ms Smith, on the other hand, has the added indignity of explaining her husband’s purchase of four movies, two of them pornographic, on public money, along with a £40 barbeque for her second home.
Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman told the BBC a wholesale reform of MPs’ expenses rules would come sooner rather than later.
“We all recognise the rules need to change and that’s why Gordon Brown has asked for a review by this independent committee called the committee on standards in public life and there are going to be some big changes that are made.”
The prime minister brought the date of the committee forward to battle charges from opposition parties that he is dragging his feet.
But the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are not striking hard over the issue, partly out of concern for their own MPs and front benchers.
Parliamentary commissioner for standards, John Lyon, confirmed he was investigating another Labour MP over a second home allowance.
Leyton and Wanstead MP Harry Cohen claimed costs for his east London home while listing a house 70 miles away in Colchester, Essex, as his main residence.
Shadow business secretary Ken Clarke described at the weekend the extent of the damage to MPs’ reputation.
“People should be sceptical about their politicians – don’t regard them as heroes – but now we have an exaggerated public view that they are all thieves, they are all rogues, they are all lining their own pockets.
“Two thirds of them, I am quite sure, are doing nothing improper at all – at least two thirds I hope.”
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, said: “It is clearly barmy for ministers to indulge in a form of double counting that enables them to enjoy two homes at the taxpayer’s expense.
“To say this is within the rules will only serve to convince the public that the rules are broken and need to be fixed as soon as possible.”
Last week Mr Clegg called on David Cameron and Mr Brown to sit down with him immediately and “hammer out” a set of proposals for reform.
