Simon Danczuk, Rochdale MP, To Repay £11,000 In Expenses After Watchdog Ruling

The embattled MP says he 'believed' the claims were within the rules.
Simon Danczuk was suspended from the Labour party last year
Simon Danczuk was suspended from the Labour party last year
AFP via Getty Images

Simon Danczuk will repay more than £11,000 in MPs expenses after the parliamentary watchdog found he claimed money for dependants who didn't live with him.

The embattled Rochdale MP responded to a ruling by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) that he had falsely claimed top-ups for his two eldest children.

Peter Davis of Ipsa said: "The evidence points overwhelmingly to the conclusion that the MP obtained an increase to his accommodation expenditure budget by claiming dependant uplifts for his two oldest children for a period of over three years, when, at no point were either of the children routinely resident."

Simon Danczuk was also found to have wrongly claimed £96.50 in parking charges
Simon Danczuk was also found to have wrongly claimed £96.50 in parking charges
AFP via Getty Images

It continued: "[Ipsa] must also conclude that this was done knowing that there was no reasonable prospect of the children staying at the accommodation."

Alongside the £11,583 excess, Mr Danczuk was also found to have wrongly claimed £96.50 in parking charges while on holiday in Spain, PA reported.

In a statement, Danczuk claimed he had acted on what he "believed at the time" to be allowed and hoped Ipsa would review the rules.

He said: "I am relieved that this issue has finally been cleared up and I will, of course, repay the full amount at the earliest opportunity."

The MP was suspended by the Labour party in December after it was revealed he'd sent lewd texts to a 17-year-old girl.

In January, he was questioned by police regarding a rape allegation from 2006.

Police confirmed to the BBC that its investigation into the allegation continues.

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