MP Andrew Turner.
ISLE of Wight MP Andrew Turner has again been challenged to defend his living expenses.
He was one of 27 MPs named by The Daily Telegraph who claim expenses to rent homes in London while letting property in the capital.
Mr Turner claims expenses to rent a one-bed flat in Victoria and owns a one-bed flat in Kennington, which is let to a tenant.
He previously used the Kennington flat while working at Westminster, before the system was changed in the light of the expenses scandal. MPs are no longer permitted to claim for mortgage interest payments, only for rent and associated expenses of up to £20,000 a year.
But Mr Turner has defended his decision to rent the Victoria flat, saying it was in line with the new system and the wishes of the electorate.
He said he did not rent from or let to another MP — a loophole highlighted by the Telegraph that allows members to build property nest-eggs — and has not made a profit from the flat he owns, mainly because repair and refurbishment costs have outweighed the rental income.
He said: "During the election, I promised I would move to the new expenses scheme as soon as possible, because so many people were unhappy MPs could claim expenses on property they owned. I moved to the scheme straight away, although I could have claimed expenses on the flat I own for two years under transitional arrangements.
"The only public money involved since the election is related to the flat which I now pay rent on.
"On a personal note, I knew when I promised to move the income from the flat I own would be unlikely to cover the full outgoings, and the shortfall has been substantial."
Mr Turner and his partner, Carole Dennett, also own a flat in Cowes, which is let, and a house in Newport, formerly registered as his second home and subject to expenses claims of more than £80,000 in the four years prior to the scandal.
Reporter: emilyp@iwcpmail.co.uk