South Cambs MP in expenses row
SOUTH Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley has been implicated in the parliamentary expenses scandal. He and another Conservative MP, Michael Cove, are accused of changing their designated second home – a process known as flipping – so that they could clai
SOUTH Cambridgeshire MP Andrew Lansley has been implicated in the parliamentary expenses scandal.
He and another Conservative MP, Michael Cove, are accused of changing their designated second home - a process known as "flipping" - so that they could claim back the cost of renovation work.
Mr Lansley, who is also shadow health secretary, said his expenses claims represent a "legitimate change" in his living arrangements.
According to reports, Mr Lansley claimed over �4,000 of taxpayers money for renovations to his second home, in Melbourn.
He later sold this property for �433,000, and just months before the deal went through, changed his designated second home to a flat in London, where he spent thousands more on redecorating.
The South Cambridgeshire MP said: "I refute the implication that I changed the designation of my second home in order to maximise benefits from allowances.
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"Until late 2005, my main family home was in London as that is where I spent the majority of my time. In late 2005 my daughter started at nursery school in Cambridgeshire and from that point onwards my constituency home became my main residence.
"All subsequent claims reflect this legitimate change in my arrangements," he said.
