Parliament watchdog considers Malik inquiry
Friday, 12 June 2009 5:00 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
The parliamentary commissioner for standards is considering whether to launch a complaint over communities minister Shahid Malik.
John Lyon received the complaint from the Sunlight Centre for Open Politics, a transparency campaign, after a Telegraph report centred on his claim for two separate office spaces.
The controversy has raised questions about Gordon Brown's decision to bring Mr Malik back on board after he was cleared over paying below-market rent to a local businessman.
He is alleged to have claimed maximum second home allowance on his London property while funding an office in his constituency.
"I have never claimed anything from the public purse for any living accommodation apart from that which is permissible for my second home," he said.
"I have certainly not claimed a penny from the public purse for my designated main home."
Sir Philip said there was not enough evidence to substantiate claims against Mr Malik over his rent, but is understood to be seriously considering opening an investigation into the second set of allegations.
The prime minister's spokesman said: "He is not the only MP to find himself on the front page of the Daily Telegraph and I'm sure he will not be the last, but there are no new allegations he has breached the ministerial code."
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