More allegations over MP Shahid Malik

Jun 12 2009 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

DEWSBURY’S MP is facing a second investigation into his expenses.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards announced last night that he would investigate claims that communities minister Shahid Malik claimed taxpayers’ money for two offices.

The Dewsbury MP denies the allegation.

Commissioner John Lyon is considering the matter after receiving a complaint from Sunlight Centre for Open Politics.

Meanwhile, details of a separate investigation into Mr Malik’s expenses were released yesterday.

Sir Philip Mawer, the Prime Minister’s adviser on ministerial interests, said it was “unfortunate” that Mr Malik had not been able to establish a proper audit trail to show he didn’t rent his constituency home at a preferential rate.

Mr Malik returned to the Government this week as communities minister after he was cleared by Sir Philip of breaching the Ministerial Code of Conduct by failing disclose a declarable interest.

But new allegations emerged that Mr Malik claimed the maximum second home allowance on his London property while he funded his office on the ground floor of his constituency home in Dewsbury through a separate system of parliamentary office expenses.