MP Liam Fox forced to pay back more expenses cash

WOODSPRING MP Liam Fox has been forced to make another repayment to the Commons in the wake of the row over expenses.

The shadow defence secretary handed over £140 to cover unspecified claims after the Conservative party's scrutiny panel examined every allowance form submitted by its MPs between 2004 and 2008.

It comes on top of two earlier repayments totalling £2,638.50. One payment, for £1,401, covered the service charge on his London flat, which he had submitted twice in 2005.

The second, for £1,237.50, covered the "routine realignment" of his variable mortgage interest. He made standard monthly claims but worked out the actual amount of interest at the end of the year and handed over the difference.

A Conservative spokeswoman said because the latest payment was for a small amount they had not recorded the reason why it had been made in their files.

Overall the party's MPs have paid back a further £125,000 following examination of their expenses, David Cameron announced yesterday. It brings the total returned to the Commons authorities and HM Revenue and Customs by Tories since the expenses scandal began to almost £260,000.

In addition, the party said its MPs had agreed to forgo future second home allowances totalling £100,000.

Mr Cameron said the Conservatives were "taking a lead" on expenses.

Liam Fox was unavailable for comment.