Maynard faces investigation over office use - updated
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Pensions minister Paul Maynard is under investigation by the compliance officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, for allegedly using his constituency office for campaigning.
Accusations that the MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys may have used his constituency office, paid for by taxpayers, for campaigning were first reported in the Sunday Times in early January. The paper claimed the pensions minister was using his office for Conservative party meetings, and alleged that since his election in 2010, Maynard has spent £106,000 on printing and related costs, which it said is more than any Tory MP on record.
Expenses watchdog IPSA referred the matter to the compliance officer, who has now decided to investigate.
Maynard said: “I will work with IPSA to ensure they have all the information they require as part of their inquiry."
He added: “Agreements have been in place covering occasional use of my constituency office but I have made clear I will abide by any finding made during the course of this process.”
Expenses watchdog IPSA referred the matter to the compliance officer, who has now decided to investigate.
Maynard said: “I will work with IPSA to ensure they have all the information they require as part of their inquiry."
He added: “Agreements have been in place covering occasional use of my constituency office but I have made clear I will abide by any finding made during the course of this process.”
In response to calls by opposition MPs to remove the whip from Maynard, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in January that this was not the normal procedure.
*This article has been updated
