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Cameron plans more 'transparency' Over 70 Tory MPs employ relatives
(20 minutes later)
The Conservative front will have to declare whether they have any family members working for them, party leader David Cameron has said. Tory leader David Cameron has revealed at least 70 of his MPs employ family members - as he announced plans for greater "transparency" over expenses.
He said the move, which comes into effect on 1 April, would be a "first step" towards achieving greater transparency at Westminster. From 1 April the Conservative front bench will have to register relatives working for them, said Mr Cameron.
It comes after Tory MP Derek Conway was stripped of the party whip and suspended from the Commons. He said it would be a "first step" towards more openness at Westminster.
Mr Conway overpaid son Freddie for his work as a researcher. The move comes after Tory MP Derek Conway was suspended from the Commons for overpaying his son Freddie for working as a researcher.
'Work hard'
In a statement, the Tory leader said: "I think there's a need for greater transparency or openness when it comes to MPs' pay and staff and expenses and allowances.
"As a first step I will be asking my front bench colleagues from April this year to register, in the members' register of interests, whether they do employ any family.
What needs to happen more broadly is a change of culture at Westminster David Cameron
"It would be a good first step. We want to show that MPs do work hard for their constituents and make good use of money."
Mr Cameron said the figure of "just over" 70 Tory MPs employing family members had come from a "ring around".
Mr Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, has already been censured for overpaying Freddie's parliamentary allowances and has apologised to MPs.
He has had his party's whip withdrawn and says he will not fight the next election.
'Good job'
MPs voted on Thursday to suspend Mr Conway for 10 days and ordered him to return £13,161 of the money.
At the moment there are no rules against employing relatives paid for out of an MPs' allowances, and there is no requirement for any such link to be declared.
Mr Cameron said: "I think there are many MPs who employ husbands or wives and do a very good job...
"What needs to happen more broadly is a change of culture at Westminster."
On Thursday, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said there should be greater transparency over MPs' expenses - but added that the Commons authorities should decide how to achieve it.
Simon Hughes, for the Liberal Democrats said MPs should be banned from employing more than one family member, that they should be recruited openly and paid the "going rate".
He also called for equal pension rights for "registered partners" of MPs as well as spouses.