Shahid Malik told to answer new expenses claims

Jun 11 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AN MP has been told to explain why he claimed more than £6,000 of taxpayers’ money for a mystery office.

Dewsbury MP Shahid Malik has been accused of taking £200 a month for three years for his “Office Two”.

Yesterday the Labour man’s Conservative opponent said Mr Malik should explain the claim.

Tory Parliamentary candidate for Dewsbury Simon Reevell told the Examiner: “I simply don’t know whether he’s got a second office. I’ve never seen or heard reference to one.

“I’ve no idea what he would need it for.

“If Mr Malik explains where this office is and why he needs it that would be the end of the matter.”

Yesterday the Daily Telegraph said Mr Malik had claimed more than £6,000 over three years for an unspecified “Office Two” on top of £6,000-a-year in rent for his constituency office on Daisy Hill in Dewsbury. Mr Malik told the paper the “Office Two” claim was for “additional office space”.

Mr Malik declined to give any more details on the issue yesterday.

The latest development came just a day after Mr Malik was cleared over another expenses claim.

The Dewsbury MP stood down from his post as justice minister last month after allegations that he had rented his Dewsbury home at less than the market rate.

Mr Malik was cleared following an investigation by Sir Philip Mawer, Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s independent adviser on expenses. Mr Malik returned to the Government as local government minister on Tuesday.