Tory MP Cash reselected by party

Conservative MP Bill Cash, who was criticised for paying his daughter more than £15,000 in expenses-funded rent, has survived a reselection vote.

He repaid the money after it was revealed he claimed for his daughter's flat as his second home despite owning another flat closer to Westminster.

He was reselected by the local Tory party in Stone, Staffordshire.

Constituency party chairman John Pendergrast said it was an "overwhelming" vote of support.

The exact result is not known as it was a secret ballot.

'Very effective'

Mr Cash was written to by party leader David Cameron who thanked him for answering "serious questions" about his expenses and paying back the money he claimed.

Mr Pendergrast said: "I'm proud to support [Mr Cash] but the electorate of Stone... are the people who make the decision.

"I've no doubt that should they choose Bill Cash they will continue to have a very effective and hard-working MP."

Mr Cash, who has been an MP for 25 years, was reported in the Daily Telegraph as having lived in his daughter's Notting Hill property during 2004-5.

He owned a flat in Pimlico, which is closer to Parliament, the newspaper said.

It was within the rules at the time but the rules changed in July 2006 to stop MPs renting properties from close relatives.

Mr Cash had designated the flat as his second home with the Commons fees office and claimed more than £15,000 for rent - equivalent to about £1,200 a month.

It also reported that, after moving out, Mr Cash had nominated two private members' clubs as his "second home" for allowances purposes over three months.

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