Probe for MP over payments to two sons

Jan 30 2008

A FORMER Midland MP expelled from the Tory party in the Commons over payments to his son from parliamentary allowances was awaiting news of a possible police inquiry and fresh sleaze investigation today.

Derek Conway, who was stripped of the Conservative whip yesterday, has been reported to Scotland Yard by a rival.

Duncan Borrowman, the Liberal Demo-crat challenger for the MP's Old Bexley and Sidcup seat, has written to the Metropolitan Police asking them to examine whether a fraud had been committed. Mr Cameron's action followed a highly critical report which condemned Mr Conway's use of parliamentary allowances to pay his son more than £40,000.

The House of Commons Standards and Privileges Committee said Mr Conway, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, "misused" parliamentary funds by paying an annual £11,773 salary, plus bonuses totalling more than £10,000, to his younger son. Now commissioner John Lyon is considering allegations surrounding payments to Mr Conway's other son, Henry. The MP's wife Colette is also reported to work, legitimately, as his secretary.