THURS PM: Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik at centre of expenses row
DEWBURYMP Shahid Malik has claimed thousands of pounds in taxpayer allowances on his second home while renting his main home, it was reported tonight.
The Daily Telegraph reported that justice secretary Mr Malik had run up the highest expenses claim of any MP, claiming second home allowances of £66,827 over three years on his house in London.
At the same time the paper claimed that his main home was a three-bedroom house in his constituency which he had secured for a discounted rent of less than £100 a week.
Mr Malik's second home claims were said to include £2,600 for a home cinema system - which was cut in half by the Commons Fees Office - £730 for a `"massage chair'", and £65 for a court summons for the non-payment of council tax.
Mr Malik tonight denied breaking any rules, saying the expenses system was flawed.
He declined to discuss the Telegraph’s claim that he was renting a house in Dewsbury at below market value, saying: "That is my private business."
He added: "I spend half the week in Dewsbury and half the week in London and claim on my second home in London.
"I have not broken any rules. It is correct that I put a claim in for a home cinema system costing £2,600.
"I rang the Fees Office and asked if there was a limit to what I could spend before I bought a TV and they said ’no’. I did think at the time that was madness.
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