Tory MP survives confidence vote

Ms Laing said she would not stand if deselected

Conservative MP Eleanor Laing has survived a vote of confidence by her constituency party after criticism of her conduct over expenses.

The MP for Epping Forest was criticised for not paying capital gains tax on the sale of two properties on which she had claimed public money.

Although she did nothing wrong under the rules in place at the time, she agreed to voluntarily repay £25,000.

A host of MPs have stepped down amid the outcry over excessive claims.

'Delighted'

According to the BBC's political correspondent Adam Fleming, officials said 83% of those attending Monday's meeting in Essex voted against the motion to de-select the MP.

Party sources said she had received their "overwhelming backing" while Mrs Laing said she was "delighted" at the outcome of the vote and would now focus on fighting to retain her seat at the election.

She denied the meeting had been a "whitewash".

"I have been scrutinised. I have been questioned and I have answered all the questions and my critics accept that."

Mrs Laing, a shadow justice minister, faced widespread criticism for not paying £180,000 capital gains tax on the sale of two Westminster flats, on which she made a reported £1m profit.

She and her now ex-husband bought the first flat in 1993 and purchased the next door flat in 2002, turning them into one large property.

When she sold them both in 2008, she told the tax authorities that they were her principal residence when they were actually designated her second home for expenses purposes.

This practice is perfectly legal but has been heavily criticised since the revelations about MP's expenses began in May.

Mrs Laing was not asked to repay any additional money by auditor Sir Thomas Legg following his recent review of all second home claims since 2004.