BARNTON and Rudheath MP George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor, is facing an inquiry by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner into aspects of his expenses.
The move follows a complaint by the Tatton constituency’s Labour Party chairman, Laurie Burton, and concerns Mr Osborne’s second home designation between 2001 and 2003 and mortgage claims after 2003.
A spokesman for Mr Osborne said the complaint was “political” and his claims were above board.
Mr Burton alleges that between 2001 and 2003 Mr Osborne wrongly identified his main home for the purposes of claiming a second home allowance.
He also alleges that, from 2003, Mr Osborne claimed for mortgage payments “that were not necessarily incurred”.
Mr Osborne’s spokesman said he had made it clear his Cheshire property was his second home since he was first elected in 2001.
He said the MP had told the Commons authorities in 2001 he had increased his interest-only mortgage on his London home to cover the cost of buying his Cheshire property – and was advised to claim against that until he could change the arrangements.
The spokesman said: “George is relaxed about it and has always been very open in answering questions about his expenses.
“George has never switched designation for personal advantage.
“His arrangements have always sought to minimise the costs to the taxpayer.”
