Tory MP claimed $93K in rent to own firm

LONDON, June 17 (UPI) -- A millionaire member of the British parliament inappropriately claimed $93,000 in living expenses on an apartment rented from a company he owned, sources say.

Conservative Party MP Brian Binley, who made the claims for three years, was told by Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin in April they were improper and must stop, three years after the claims were first flagged by officials and Binley appealed, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, said Binley has not yet repaid the $93,000 he improperly received, reporting that it was unclear why the MP for Northampton South was allowed to continue receiving taxpayer reimbursement for three years despite House of Commons rules barring members from renting properties from themselves or their companies.

Binley told the Telegraph, "When the mortgage was taken out, it was totally cleared by the Fees Office and when the rules were changed which stated that I could not rent from a company that I had an interest in, I appealed that decision.

"I sadly lost that appeal, accepted the decision and found another flat which unfortunately costs the taxpayer more money because that is the going rate."