It’s war: Nadine Dorries hits back over expenses investigation
Nadine Dorries attacked the parliamentary expenses watchdog for opening an investigation into her allowances this afternoon.
The controversial MP, who had the Tory whip taken from her after she flew to Australia to appear on I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, is facing an investigation by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) into her paid travel and accommodations costs.
Dorries told PA the watchdog was coming after her because it needed a high profile MP to justify its funding.
"I'm going to go after them", she told the news agency.
She then told Sky the attention from Ipsa was a result of her stint in the Jungle for I'm a Celebrity, because it boosted her profile.
They started "crawling all over me", she told reporters.
"I know I'm known as Mad Nad in Westminster but I'd have to be insane" to wrongly claim expenses, she added.
The Mid-Bedfordshire MP said the investigation was either into slightly-higher-than-usual accommodation costs in summer last year when her daughter was staying with her or a mistake by her parliamentary assistant which saw her claim petrol costs twice.
"An investigation will be conducted into claims submitted under the following areas of the third and fourth editions of the MPs' scheme of business costs and expense – accommodation expenditure, travel and subsistence," Ipsa compliance officer Peter Davis said in a statement.
"In accordance with the legislation and the procedures for investigation made thereunder, no further information shall be published until the investigation has been concluded."
Dorries is known in parliament for her socially conservative views, including hardline positions on gay marriage and abortion.
