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Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt saved almost £100,000 in stamp duty on his purchase of seven flats after exploiting a Tory loophole.

Stamp duty rules changed in 2016 so anyone buying a second home or buy-to-let property pays a 3% surcharge.

But bulk purchases of six properties or more are exempt, meaning Mr Hunt will have saved at least £94,500 by buying the seven homes at once .

Properties in the Southampton development are on the market for between £450,000 and £1million.

He already faces a parliamentary sleaze probe into his alleged failure to register an interest in the company he used to purchase the flats in Ocean Village.

George Osborne introduced the 3% stamp duty surcharge when he was Chancellor, saying “people buying a home to let should not be squeezing out families who can’t afford a home to buy.”

David Smith, of the National Landlords Association, said: “It looks bad that a minister is very clearly taking advantage of a poorly designed policy.”

Last week the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner launched a probe after Mr Hunt initially failed to register an interest in the firm he used to buy the flats.

(Image: PA)

He also initially failed to declare his shareholding to Companies House, an offence punishable by a fine or two years in prison.

Mr Hunt said the breaches were an “honest mistake” by his accountant that had been corrected.

MPs have to register outside property interests other than their main home if its value is over £100,000 and/or it provides a rental income of more than £10,000 a year.

Mr Hunt registered a half-share of a holiday house in Italy and a half-share of an office building in Hammersmith as well as the seven flats.