02/07/2009

George Osborne To Face Expenses Investigation

Shadow Chancellor George Osborne is to be investigated by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner over his expenses.

John Lyon, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, confirmed he is investigating a complaint about Osborne, who has been criticised for the way he "flipped" the designation of his second home.

It is understood the complaint was made by a Laurie Burton, the chair of the local Labour party in Mr Osborne's constituency.

Mr Lyon confirmed he is investigating a complaint relating to the way Osborne claimed for a mortgage worth £450,000, which he used to fund a house that cost £445,000.

In a letter to Mr Burton confirming that he will investigate the complaint, John Lyon said: "In essence, your complaint is that between 2001 and 2003 Mr Osborne wrongly identified his main home for the purposes of his claims against the Additional Costs Allowance, and that from 2003 Mr Osborne claimed for mortgage payments that were not necessarily incurred contrary to the rules of the house."

Mr Lyon, however, said he would not be looking into claims made by the Daily Telegraph that Mr Osborne may have avoided capital gains tax on the sale of his London home in 2006 - allegations Mr Osborne denies.

Osborne has strongly denied any wrongdoing and has always insisted that he acted within the rules.

(JM/BMcc)

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