Minister To Repay £41k Home Expenses Claim

A Cabinet Minister had pledged to repay over £41,000 following newspaper reports exposing his expenses claims.

Junior Health Minister Phil Hope said he would refund the £41,709 paid to him under the contentious second home allowance.

Mr Hope said his decision was not prompted by the fear of losing his Corby parliamentary seat, but rather the damage that has been done to his integrity and reputation.

He described the revelation as a "massive blow" to his standing with the electorate.

"This issue has fundamentally changed the view people have of me and that is something I cannot bear," said the Labour MP.

Mr Hope is the first of several parliamentarians who have announced intentions to repay expenses claims, among them Communities Secretary Hazel Blears, who showed a signed cheque to waiting journalists today.

Ms Blears's reimbursement of £13,332 is related to capital gains tax on the sale of her second home.

So far Mr Hope's repayment is the largest. He currently holds a 1,517 majority in his Northamptonshire seat.

"The anger of my constituents and the damage done to perceptions of my integrity concerning the money I have received to make my London accommodation habitable has been a massive blow to me that I cannot allow to continue," said the MP.

"I cannot allow this dreadful perception about what I claimed in allowances to continue."

The 54-year-old former teacher has came under fire from his local newspaper, following claims that his son used the London flat, paid for under the home allowance, as a student.

The Daily Telegraph earlier reported that Mr Hope had claimed for a new kitchen, seven doors, wooden flooring, bedroom furniture, chairs and tables, two bookcases and a television for the property.

In addition to a £120 barbecue and £61 for gardening materials.

Mr Hope, who said he has worked hard for constituents over the past 12 years, told the BBC News Channel he had decided to pay the money back after discussing it with his wife Allison.

(PR/JM)