Mansion claim Tory MP to stand down
A Tory MP who claimed more than £80,000 from the taxpayer over four years for work at his £1 million Devon mansion has announced he will step down as an MP.
Anthony Steen, the MP for Totnes, said he did not want to "distract" the party from its fight against Labour.
He said: "The real issue in Britain today is who can fix the country. The real debate - the real choice - is Brown or Cameron."
In a statement, he added: "The real focus for all Conservatives should be on winning the next election.
"For that reason, and because I don't want to distract from the real story here, I have decided not to stand at the next election.
"I would like to thank all my constituents for their support. I have really enjoyed working for you. I hope also to continue my work in the fight against human trafficking."
Mr Steen's announcement follows a similar decision by Tory former cabinet minister Douglas Hogg, who came under fire over a bill for the cleaning of the moat at his second home.
The 69-year-old Totnes MP, who was first elected to the Commons in 1974 and was at one time a ministerial aide, hit out at the "lousy" Westminster expenses system when his claims were highlighted by the Daily Telegraph.
Mr Steen designated his constituency property as his second home and then claimed £87,729 over four years, including payments for tree surgery, the newspaper said.
It was said to include £2,858.94 for leaking pipes, £1,318 for a wrought iron fireplace, £597.14 for lights and a bill for a chartered forester to look after up to 500 trees.
