Paul Maynard: Pensions minister investigated over funding claims

A full investigation has been launched into claims Pensions Minister Paul Maynard used taxpayers' money to fund his campaigning, the parliamentary watchdog said.

Mr Maynard is alleged to have broken parliamentary rules in funding Conservative Party work and campaigns.

The Sunday Times had reported the allegations to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

The Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP said he would fully cooperate.

The watchdog, which oversees MPs' expenses, confirmed the formal investigation on Wednesday.

Under current rules, MPs are given public funding to enable them to run a constituency office to serve people in their area.

But they are not allowed to use the same facilities or staff for party political work or campaigns - that must be funded from separate political donations.

In January The Sunday Times alleged Mr Maynard had broken the rules by using his constituency office as a base for his local Conservative Association.

The newspaper said a member of the association came forward as she was concerned parliamentary rules were being broken and had tried, but failed, to get the Conservative Party to stop what was happening.

It also said she claimed Mr Maynard also used facilities in his office to print overtly campaigning material.

Mr Maynard said: "I will work with IPSA to ensure they have all the information they require as part of their inquiry.

"Agreements have been in place covering occasional use of my constituency office but I have made it clear that I will abide by any finding made during the course of this process."

IPSA said no further information would be published until the investigation was concluded, the watchdog added.

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