CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron led the way today in the crack down on parliamentary expenses by forcing his Commons aide Andrew MacKay resigned after making “unacceptable” expenses claims.

Graham Dines

CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron led the way today in the crack down on parliamentary expenses by forcing his Commons aide Andrew MacKay resigned after making “unacceptable” expenses claims.

Although the MP stood down after voluntarily submitting his claims for examination by party officials, his situation became untenable when second home expenses were uncovered. Mr Cameron said today: “He will go before scrutiny to determine how much of that money needs to be repaid.”'

Bracknell MP Mr MacKay, who is married to Bromsgrove Tory MP Julie Kirkbride, claimed the full second-home allowance for interest on their joint mortgage for a London home until April this year.

At the same time his wife also claimed the full annual sum for mortgage interest on a constituency home.

Ms Kirkbride registers the London property as her main home and takes second home allowances for the Bromsgrove home.