Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk: Expenses rules poorly worded

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, has condemned “poorly worded” expenses rules, which punish “modern families”, after an investigation was launched into his accommodation claims.

The divorced politician is alleged to have received thousands of pounds to have his children stay with him in London, though they hardly ever visited his flat.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) allows MPs to claim £2,425 (€3,200) a year for accommodation costs for each dependant.

This enables them to rent a flat with more than one bedroom, so they can “maintain contact with their families during the course of their parliamentary work”.

However, Ipsa compliance officer Peter Davis has announced a formal probe into Mr Danczuk after a member of the public complained that the rules were being abused.

Mr Danczuk, who has been suspended by Labour over allegations of exchanging explicit messages with a teenager, has two children with first wife Sonia Rossington and two with second wife Karen Danczuk.

His 18-year-old son, George, told the Rochdale Online website last week that he stayed with his father in London just once, in February 2012.

“That’s the only time I’ve stayed with him in London,” he said.