Speaker subject to parliamentary investigation

Speaker subject to expenses probe

Speaker subject to expenses probe

A Commons investigation has been launched into the speaker’s expenses claims.

John Lyons, the parliamentary commissioner for standards, has begun a preliminary investigation into Michael Martin’s expenses.

The speaker has faced criticism over his wife’s £4,280 bill for taxis, which he maintains were only used for official business.

His aide, Mike Grannatt, resigned in February after admitting he inadvertently misled journalists.

He said he had himself been misled by “people who knew the facts,” although maintained the speaker was not involved.

Mr Martin is himself leading a Commons inquiry into MPs’ expenses.