DAVID CAMERON stole another march in the expenses scandal yesterday, by announcing that Conservative MPs are repaying a staggering £250,000 of "disproportionate" claims.
The Tory leader said the move – an attempt to "atone for the mistakes of the past" – was in stark contrast to Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who continued to justify claims made "within the rules".
The payback follows an in-house investigation by a scrutiny panel set up by Mr Cameron, which examined every second home claim made by Tory MPs over four years up to 2007-08.
It uncovered a total of £124,315.67 to be refunded by 41 MPs – covering everything from stamp duty to swimming pool maintenance.
Gosport MP Sir Peter Viggers – who achieved infamy when his claim for a floating duck house was rejected – is to repay £10,000 in claims for garden maintenance and repairs. Last week, it was revealed that Conservative MPs had already repaid £133,517 to the Commons fees office since the crisis broke – making a grand total of £257,832.
A further nine Tories, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling, the “Shadow Minister for Liverpool”, will forego, or cut, their “second home” claims, saving the taxpayer £108,600 over the next year.
