Paul Maynard, the pensions minister, has been referred to an investigator by the Parliamentary expenses watchdog over reports that he charged taxpayers when producing political materials. The Liberal Democrats urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to suspend the Tory whip from Mr Maynard and remove him as a minister while “these extremely serious allegations are investigated”. According to the report, the owners of the office charge rent of £8,220 annually, granting Mr Maynard use of an office and boardroom. Mr Maynard has been contacted for comment by the PA news agency. If the Commons backs the punishment, it could leave the former Tory MP – who was stripped of the whip after the allegations surfaced – facing a by-election.

Source: The Times January 06, 2024 23:30 UTC