The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) has launched an investigation into allegations that pensions minister Paul Maynard used his taxpayer-funded constituency office as a Conservative campaign office.
The probe follows reports that Maynard, the MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys, charged taxpayers for producing political materials. The Sunday Times reported in January that he had claimed rent for an office serving as his local party headquarters and breached rules by producing overtly political materials promoting the Conservatives.
Maynard has said he will cooperate fully with the investigation, which has already undergone a six-week assessment by Ipsa. The watchdog confirmed on Thursday it would determine whether the MP "has been paid an amount under the MPs’ scheme of staffing and business costs … that should not have been allowed".
The allegations come as Rishi Sunak faces a potential byelection in neighbouring Blackpool South after an independent panel upheld a 35-day suspension of former Tory MP Scott Benton for lobbying breaches. The Liberal Democrats have called on Sunak to withdraw the Conservative whip from Maynard while the "extremely serious" allegations are investigated.
Maynard, who entered Parliament in 2010 and was previously a speechwriter for William Hague and Liam Fox, has been pensions minister since last November.
