MP Nadine Dorries believes she is the victim of a conspiracy after a national newspaper printed claims about her parliamentary expenses.

Last week the Mid Beds Tory MP became the latest politician to have their expense details published in the national press.

The controversy follows 'Smeargate', when it emerged that senior figures in the Labour Party had discussed making unfounded allegations about Ms Dorries' personal life.

Ms Dorries claimed the two cases may be linked.

She said: "The papers were absolutely right to ask questions about how MPs use their allowances. But they have a duty to do so accurately and responsibly.

"To maximise their sales they over-hyped and sensationalised the story, and I think they are starting to realise that.

"But I know that some of the people behind the smears that were going to be made against me are drinking buddies with some of the journalists on this story.

"The whole Smeargate thing has ploughed into this. So many people have emailed me to say that it is payback time for standing up for myself."

Ms Dorries denied a number of the allegations made in the reports but she confirmed that she claims for rent paid for her Beds home as part of her 'additional costs allowance' as an MP.

She insisted Beds is her "second home" and her main base is in the Cotswolds, although her youngest daughter has attended school in Bedford since September.

When Ms Dorries does stay in London she claims to do so at her own expense.

She said: "I use my Beds home to travel to parliament and back and for my constituency duties. I could have bought a very nice second home here with my MP's allowance.

"But the housing market was rising and I didn't think it was right to do that and then sell the house for a profit and pocket the difference.

"I thought I was doing the moral and right thing. I did not think that by taking the moral judgement it would end up like this. Other MPs have told me I'm crazy not to use the system to make a profit."

Ms Dorries declined to comment on whether she planned to make Beds her main home.

She added: "I don't spend weekends in Beds unless I am working over that weekend.

"If I want to relax, if I want to go to the pub with my mates, or if my children want to see their friends, we go back to the Cotswolds. My main home is in the Cotswolds."



BedfordToday links:

MPs' expenses - Nadine claims the story is 'Smeargate payback'

MPs' expenses - rival accuses Nadine of u-turn

MPs' expenses - Burt says politicians must regain public trust


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