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'Mortgage agreement' claim probed 'Mortgage agreement' claim probed
(20 minutes later)
An inquiry will be launched into claims a Labour MP was given permission to claim allowances on a mortgage he had partly paid off, says Downing Street. An inquiry will be launched into claims a Labour MP was given permission to claim allowances for mortgage interest he no longer paid, says Downing Street.
The claims appear in the Daily Telegraph and are the latest in a series of stories about MPs expenses.The claims appear in the Daily Telegraph and are the latest in a series of stories about MPs expenses.
It said MP Ben Chapman benefited by £15,000 over 10 months from the arrangement, which documents suggested was not unique to him.It said MP Ben Chapman benefited by £15,000 over 10 months from the arrangement, which documents suggested was not unique to him.
Mr Chapman declined to comment until he has spoken to the officials concerned. Mr Chapman told the BBC: "I do not believe I have done anything wrong."
Correspondence showed the MP sought and was given permission to reclaim the interest payments on the full value of his original mortgage, despite paying off £295,000 of the loan in 2002, according to the newspaper. When asked if it was true that he had admitted continuing to claim for interest payments on his entire mortgage after repaying £295,000, he told the BBC: "It may be. I don't know".
When it was put to him that he may have been claiming more than he was paying, the MP said: "If I've done so it was following the advice the fees office gave me. I'll have to discuss it with them and see how it should be tackled".
According to the Telegraph, correspondence showed the MP sought and was given permission to reclaim the interest payments on the full value of his original mortgage, despite paying off £295,000 of the loan in 2002.
A Number 10 spokesman said the Chief Whip had spoken to Mr Chapman.A Number 10 spokesman said the Chief Whip had spoken to Mr Chapman.
"He is investigating documents provided by Mr Chapman and will seek further clarification from him and the Fees Office in the morning," said the spokesman."He is investigating documents provided by Mr Chapman and will seek further clarification from him and the Fees Office in the morning," said the spokesman.
The paper's allegations comes as the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, is to make a statement to MPs on Monday, amid growing calls for him to stand down over the expenses controversy.