Brown forced to defend ministers over expenses revelations

Gordon Brown was forced to defend two more of his Cabinet ministers today as the expenses scandal showed little sign of abating.

The British Prime Minister insisted there was “no problem” with financial arrangements that meant Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon and Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell did not pay capital gains tax on second homes.

But he also lashed out at the “appalling” practices that were being uncovered at Westminster, and expressed “surprise” at some of the MPs who had been taking part in them.

The comments came as a third Conservative MP, Peter Viggers, was effectively kicked out of the Commons after it emerged that he had claimed £1,645 (€1,872) for a “duck island” for his pond.

David Cameron confirmed that Viggers had been told he could either stand down from his Gosport constituency at the next general election, or be expelled from the parliamentary party.

MP Anthony Steen and former agriculture minister Douglas Hogg have also announced their retirements after being embroiled in controversies.

Meanwhile, Tory Whip Bill Wiggin – who went to Eton with Mr Cameron – was fighting to save his career after the Daily Telegraph disclosed he had claimed £11,000 (€12,519) in mortgage payments against the wrong property.