MP employs wife

12:21pm Thursday 31st January 2008

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A Fylde coast MP has admitted that he employs his wife as a researcher, in the wake of the family expenses scandal which broke this week.

Ben Wallace, Conservative MP for Lancaster and Wyre, told a national newspaper he employs his wife Liz.

Mr Wallace said: ""My wife works part-time for me as a researcher and does very valuable work.

"Before we met she worked full-time as a Parliamentary researcher and was very highly rated in her job, she was on a lot more money in the private sector than what she gets now.

"I pay her very little, and give her no bonuses, in fact I'm surprised she doesn't divorce me.

"I am very happy for people to find out whatever they want, and the only way to solve these problems is to have complete transparency."

While there is no suggestion Mr Wallace - or other MPs named in the national newspaper - has broken any rules it comes after a Conservative MP was thrown out of the Parliamentary party this week by leader David Camerson after it emerged he had employed his wife and two sons, who were both away at university, to carry out work for him.

A report revealed that one of Derek Conway's sons had received £50,000 in salary, despite no evidence of any work being carried out.

A total of 38 MPs, including Mr Wallace, have admitted they employ immediate family members.

Currently MPs do not have to disclose who works for them, they only have to provide a figure they pay staff in total.

The Citizen also contacted Blackpool MPs, Labour's Joan Humble and Gordon Marsden, who confirmed no members of their family work for them.

Fylde Tory MP Michael Jack has been unavailable for comment.