Tory MP denies allowance misuse

Mr Trend believes his affairs are in order

A Conservative MP has denied wrongdoing after reports about his use of accommodation allowances aimed at helping MPs from constituencies a long way from London.

Michael Trend represents Windsor, about 25 miles from London, and is reported to have claimed thousands of pounds in taxpayer funded allowances for staying in the capital.

But a Tory spokesman said the House of Commons fees office was aware of his arrangements, and that the MP believed they were in order.

He added: "Mr Trend will be checking with the fees office on Monday and he does not propose to issue any further statement."

Mr Trend, 50, told the Mail on Sunday that although he did spend "most evenings" at his home in Windsor, he had done nothing wrong.

Last summer, the former Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Elizabeth Filkin, warned that there needed to be closer scrutiny of MPs' housing, staffing and transport expenses.

She said: "There is currently no rigorous audit of these claims."