Speaker attacked over air miles

House of Commons speaker Michael Martin faces investigation over allegedly improper use of air miles.

The Sunday Mirror newspaper claims air miles accrued from trips between London and his Scotland constituency were used on a new year trip to London by two of his children.

Around £360 was saved by Mr Martin and his family as a result from flights totalling £3,090.50.

This contravenes guidelines on the use of air miles by MPs, which say savings gained from flights paid for by the taxpayer should be used to reduce the costs of future journeys which would also be funded from the public purse.

Mr Martin is now being investigated by parliament's standards watchdog following a complaint by former UK Independence party candidate Michael Barnbrook.

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, one of the most vocal campaigners for more transparency on MPs' expenses, said the Sunday Mirror's revelations were more bad news for parliament's reputation.

"This will further damage public confidence in the system of parliamentary expenses," he commented.

"A benefit which is accrued because of spending by the taxpayer should be returned to the taxpayer."

The case of alleged impropriety comes after last month saw Conservative MP Derek Conway suspended from the Commons for ten days after it emerged he overpaid one of his sons for researcher work.

Media reports suggest Mr Martin's position as speaker is being further undermined by growing disillusionment about his competence in the role.