Article content continued

In total, senators who have a secondary residence in Ottawa can claim up to $22,000 per year.

[/np_storybar]

Sen. Pamela Wallin is leaving the Conservative caucus, the second senator in as many days to do so amid a storm of allegations of dubious expense claims.

Wallin’s travel expenses, which total more than $321,000 since September 2010, have been the subject of an external audit since December.

“I have been co-operating fully and willingly with the auditors,” Wallin, a former CTV broadcaster, said in a brief written statement Friday evening.

“I have met with the auditors, answered all the questions and provided all requested documentation. I had anticipated that the audit process would be complete by now but, given that it continues, I have decided to recuse myself from the Conservative caucus.”

Wallin said she’ll have no further comment until the audit is complete.

Her decision comes one day after fellow former broadcaster Sen. Mike Duffy stepped down from the Tory caucus amid controversy about inappropriately claimed housing expenses — and where he got the money to pay them back.

The Prime Minister’s Office admitted earlier this week that Nigel Wright, Stephen Harper’s chief of staff, footed the $90,000 bill for Duffy.

Harper has in the past staunchly defended Wallin, arguing that her travel expenses are “comparable to any parliamentarian” who travels from Ottawa to Saskatchewan, the province Wallin was appointed to the Senate to represent.