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Hoon caught up in new claims row Hoon caught up in new claims row
(about 1 hour later)
Geoff Hoon has become embroiled in the row about MPs' expenses over allowances he claimed for his constituency home, while letting out his London flat. Geoff Hoon faces MP expenses questions after it emerged he claimed second home allowances for his Derby home while letting out his "main" home, in London.
Meanwhile, he was living in a rent-free Whitehall apartment that came with his former job as defence secretary. And at the same time the transport secretary was living in a taxpayer-funded Whitehall flat which came with his then job of defence secretary.
Mr Hoon, who is now transport minister, has defended the expenses claims, saying they were within the rules. Mr Hoon defended his actions, saying that they were within the rules.
The Tories say they would ban ministers living in grace-and-favour residences from claiming second home allowances. Tory Ken Clarke said he was "shocked" by recent expenses revelations which made people think MPs were "rogues".
The shadow business secretary implied that as many as a third of MPs could have made questionable expenses claims.
He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that "at least two thirds of MPs I hope" were doing nothing wrong on expenses and they were suffering from "an exaggerated public view that they're all thieves, they're all rogues, they're all lining their own pockets".
Chancellor Alistair Darling told the same programme that the recent revelations were "damaging".
He said: "I think we do need to get an outside examination of this and so there are recommendations coming from people who've got no axe to grind. I think that's what the public want, and they want it quickly."
'Security advice'
Writing in the Mail on Sunday Conservative leader David Cameron said the problems in the expenses system were shared by all parties.Writing in the Mail on Sunday Conservative leader David Cameron said the problems in the expenses system were shared by all parties.
"We are all implicated and we must all find a solution," he said."We are all implicated and we must all find a solution," he said.
MPs needed expenses, but there had to be more transparency, he said. He added that if elected the party would end the policy allowing ministers with free homes to claim for a second, which he said had "no justification". MPs needed expenses, but there had to be more transparency, he said. He added that if elected his party would end the policy allowing ministers with free homes to claim for a second, which he said had "no justification".
They would also ban ministers living in grace-and-favour residences from claiming second home allowances.
Kenneth Clarke on the continuing MP expenses sagaKenneth Clarke on the continuing MP expenses saga
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suggested scrapping the controversial second home payment for all MPs, in a shake-up of allowances.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has suggested scrapping the controversial second home payment for all MPs, in a shake-up of allowances.
Mr Hoon lived in an Admiralty House residence for three-and-a-half years until June 2006, while the property registered with Commons authorities as his main home was let to a private tenant.Mr Hoon lived in an Admiralty House residence for three-and-a-half years until June 2006, while the property registered with Commons authorities as his main home was let to a private tenant.
He claimed allowances for the running of his constituency house in Derby by designating that as his second home.He claimed allowances for the running of his constituency house in Derby by designating that as his second home.
Admiralty House, built originally as a home for the First Lord of the Admiralty, contains three apartments which are maintained by the departments whose ministers have use of them.Admiralty House, built originally as a home for the First Lord of the Admiralty, contains three apartments which are maintained by the departments whose ministers have use of them.
Mr Hoon said he went live there on security advice.Mr Hoon said he went live there on security advice.
He told the Mail on Sunday: "I was told unless I went into secure premises I would have to have round-the-clock police protection at my home in London and that that would cost the taxpayer a great deal more."He told the Mail on Sunday: "I was told unless I went into secure premises I would have to have round-the-clock police protection at my home in London and that that would cost the taxpayer a great deal more."
He reportedly said he did "not accept" that he was profiting from the situation.He reportedly said he did "not accept" that he was profiting from the situation.
Ministers investigatedMinisters investigated
Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who once used freedom of information laws to probe parliamentary expenses, said ministers who got free properties as part of their job should not expect to get a further property from the taxpayer.Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who once used freedom of information laws to probe parliamentary expenses, said ministers who got free properties as part of their job should not expect to get a further property from the taxpayer.
"It's quite clearly an improper use of taxpayers' money and it is not sufficient for Geoff Hoon to say he was within the rules. Being within the rules and behaving ethically are not the same thing, unfortunately.""It's quite clearly an improper use of taxpayers' money and it is not sufficient for Geoff Hoon to say he was within the rules. Being within the rules and behaving ethically are not the same thing, unfortunately."
This weekend Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said her marriage is "strong" despite revelations she claimed expenses for adult films watched by her husband.This weekend Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has said her marriage is "strong" despite revelations she claimed expenses for adult films watched by her husband.
Ms Smith is also being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her decision to claim at least £116,000 in second-home allowances for her family home.Ms Smith is also being investigated by the parliamentary commissioner for standards over her decision to claim at least £116,000 in second-home allowances for her family home.
Meanwhile she stated her main residence - the one at which she spends most time - as her sister's home in London, where she rents a room. Meanwhile she stated her main residence - the one at which she spends most time - as her sister's home in London, which she shares during the week.
Employment Minister Tony McNulty is also being investigated after it recently transpired that, until January, the MP had claimed up to £14,000 a year since 2001/2, for a home in his Harrow East constituency where his parents live.Employment Minister Tony McNulty is also being investigated after it recently transpired that, until January, the MP had claimed up to £14,000 a year since 2001/2, for a home in his Harrow East constituency where his parents live.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life has said it will bring forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.The Committee on Standards in Public Life has said it will bring forward a wider inquiry into MPs' expenses, with a report due towards the end of the year.