Search: Ben Chapman expenses
A Labour MP has announced he will stand down from the House of Commons at the next general election after allegations that he overclaimed £15,000 in expenses for mortgage interest.
Wirral South's Ben Chapman is the first Labour MP to quit Westminster as a result of the expenses controversy which has dominated politics over the past fortnight.
Mr Chapman insisted that he had done nothing wrong and said his decision was prompted by the "hurtful" impact of publicity surrounding his claim on his family and supporters.
In a statement issued by his office, Mr Chapman said: "I maintain that I have done nothing wrong and have acted in good faith and with absolute transparency throughout. The House of Commons Fees Office have expressed their apologies and regret that the advice they gave me was incorrect.
"But the publicity in the Daily Telegraph, and subsequently elsewhere, has been hurtful to my family, friends and local party members and supporters, and I have therefore decided to stand down at the next general election."
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Meanwhile, Norwich North MP Ian Gibson said he was ready to stand down if his constituents demanded it, after it was revealed he claimed £80,000 in taxpayers' money for a flat where his daughter lived with her partner. The Labour MP said that the west London property was his second home, as he spent three nights a week there, but confirmed that his daughter Helen was living there permanently rent-free.
Earlier, PM Gordon Brown was forced to defend two more of his Cabinet ministers. He insisted there was "no problem" with financial arrangements which meant Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell did not pay capital gains tax on second homes. But he also lashed out at the "appalling" practices that were being uncovered at Westminster and expressed "surprise" at some of the MPs who had been taking part in them.
His comments came as a third Conservative MP, Peter Viggers, was effectively kicked out of the party after it emerged that he had claimed £1,645 for a "duck island" for his pond. David Cameron confirmed that Sir Peter had been told he could either stand down from his Gosport constituency at the next general election, or be expelled from the parliamentary party.
Separately, Conservative MP for Mid-Worcestershire Peter Luff spent £17,000 of taxpayers' money on furniture and other items for his two homes during a four-year period, it has been reported.
Mr Luff made expenses claims for three lavatory seats, three food mixers, two microwaves, four beds, five tables, two ironing boards, three kettles and 10 sets of bed linen, according to the Daily Telegraph. Mr Luff insisted that his claims were "within the letter and spirit of the rules" and said he would repay any money found to have breached them.
