Former minister apologises “without reservation” for claiming on a residence where his parents lived

Former Minister Tony McNulty issued a comprehensive apology to voters for breaching House rules on expenses after wrongly claiming almost £14,000 in second home allowances for a London house.

McNulty claimed mortgage interest relief, amongst other expenses, on the property where his parents were allowed to live rent-free, whilst he and his wife lived only nine miles away.

In a statement to the Commons, McNulty did not contest the findings and admitted he should have been much more transparent about his arrangements: "I should have... taken steps to ensure I was not open to any charge of benefit and should have had much more concern for how these rules were perceived by the public, rather than just following them." He also apologised for "any part I have played in the diminution of the standing of this House in the eyes of the public".

The Commons standards and privileges committee ordered the apology after ruling his claims were invalid as they were "not wholly and exclusively incurred in connection with his parliamentary duties".

It said: "this had the effect of subsidising the living costs of Mr McNulty's parents from public funds," which was "against the spirit of the previous rules".

In his response Mr McNulty said he accepted a more formal agreement with his parents "would have been wise", but believed the commissioner's conclusion was "neither fair nor reasonable" because it rested on "a significant reinterpretation of the rules".

Nevertheless, he recognised the commissioner had "every right to redefine such advice and apply it retrospectively".

The former Home minister bought the property in his constituency in Harrow, only 11 miles from Parliament, in 1998. His parents moved in shortly after. In 2002, however, McNulty moved out with his wife to a house nearby in Hammersmith and re-designated his parents' house as his second home.

Since 2004, it was revealed he had claimed £49,931 to maintain the house - two thirds of the total upkeep - whereas the committee ruled he should have received no more than £36,093. He was ordered to pay back the difference. His parents paid most household bills, but did not contribute to the mortgage or council tax, nor did they pay their son any rent.

At the time the Commons Fees Office approved all the claims, and McNulty did spend several nights a week in his second home whilst visiting his constituency.

He rejected accusations that he had been let off lightly, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think I came out of this with some exoneration, but equally with some degree of being bruised and battered."

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