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Dozens of MPs – including Rhondda’s Chris Bryant – have claimed expenses for London rent or hotels despite owning a property in the capital, a Channel 4 News investigation has found.

Analysis shows the expenses claims cost the taxpayer more than £1.3m since 2012.

The Channel 4 News investigation found many of the 46 MPs bought their London properties with the help of the taxpayer when the previous expenses system allowed mortgage claims.

But when mortgage claims were banned following the expenses scandal they switched to letting out their properties, in some cases for up to £3,000 a month. They then started claiming expenses for rent and hotels in the capital.

No suggestion of wrongdoing

MPs are permitted to claim more than £20,000 a year in London rent and £150 a night for hotels. The practice is allowed under rules set by expenses watchdog, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), that oversees what MPs can claim.

There is no suggestion of wrongdoing by any of the 46 MPs.

The Channel 4 News investigation raises questions about whether the new IPSA expenses system allows taxpayers’ money to be used appropriately and whether MPs can still gain. The list of 46 MPs include 25 Conservatives, 14 Labour, and four from the Liberal Democrats.

Labour’s Shadow Culture Minister Chris Bryant claimed expenses totalling £35,350 in 2012-13 and 2013-14 to rent a London flat – despite already owning a penthouse. He bought the property in 2005, claiming around £1,000 a month in mortgage claims. But when the rules changed he let it out.

Estate agent brochures seen by Channel 4 News show the two-bed apartment with a private lift and porter has since been marketed for rent for around £3,000 a month.

MPs must not 'exploit the system'

Conservative MP and former Health Secretary Andrew Lansley jointly owns a flat in upmarket Pimlico with his wife, bought with help from mortgage claims. But since 2013 he has claimed more than £7,440 to stay in London hotels.

The MP for South Cambridgeshire does not let his flat out but has instead made room for his daughter who has used the property to launch a business.

Jim Murphy, the Labour Party leader in Scotland, owns a property bought with help from the taxpayer just two miles from the Palace of Westminster, which he let out. Over two years from 2012-13 he claimed £39,372 to rent another London flat for himself.

Former Chairman of the Committee for Standards in Public Life Sir Alistair Graham said MPs should be seen by the public to be upholding the spirit of new expenses rules.

The rules state MPs must not “exploit the system for personal financial advantage”.

New rules for MPs

He said: “It’s not always just about exactly what the rules say. It is about you taking personal responsibility that public funds are used in a proper and appropriate way that your constituents would be comfortable with.”

On Friday night MPs said new IPSA rules banning mortgage claims forced them to let out their second home to be able to afford mortgage and associated costs.

Others said they switched to renting or staying in hotels to try to minimise costs.

Mr Bryant had not returned our calls at the time of publication.

He had also not responded to calls from Channel 4 News.

Mr Lansley told Channel 4 News he normally commuted from his home in South Cambridgeshire and only stayed overnight in London hotel about once a month.

Mr Murphy did not respond to a request for comment from Channel 4 News.