WEST Derbyshire Patrick McLoughlin MP has been accused of "taking advantage" of the expenses system, by paying his wife Lynn up to £39,999 a year.
Colin Swindell, Labour Party prospective parliamentary candidate for the Dales, made the comments while discussing Sir Christopher Kelly's review of Parliamentary expenses, prior to its publication yesterday, after the Mercury's deadline.
The wid
ely-leaked report, which leaders of all three main parties have stated they will back, will recommend a ban on MPs employing relatives. Sir Christopher was expected to call for his plans to be introduced without delayMr Swindell said: "I welcome this review and hopefully it
will bring back trust into politics through more transparency.
"Employing relatives is a very sensitive issue. I appreciate that for lots of MPs it can be a lonely life and relatives can also provide trustworthy members of staff.
"But I think Patrick has taken advantage of that by paying his wife nearly the top amount available."
Mr Swindell, from Elton, added there was a "big gap" between what Mrs McLoughlin received from Westminster and what she would get "in the real world".
Mr McLoughlin (pictured), who is Conservative Party Chief Whip, has been unavailable to speak to the Mercury during the past week, despite repeated attempts to contact him.
But he has defended his right to employ his wife – who The Daily Telegraph revealed in July to be paid between £30,000 and £39,999 – during previous interviews.
Michael Crapper, Liberal Democrat constituency chairman in the Dales, said he had no problem with MPs employing their spouses, provided it was done "legitimately and openly".
Mr Crapper said: "As far as I'm aware the McLoughlins never voluntarily disclosed what her salary was, but it's public money and people have the right to know.
"The thing I do have a problem with is his claiming money in petty cash for things like buying papers and cleaning his house," he added.
