British Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, and eight other cabinet members, were named by Daily Telegraph on Monday for having used tax payers' money for their personal accountancy advice.
On the 18th day of allegations about expenses of members of the Parliament (MPs), the paper said that Darling and other eight cabinet members used 11,000 pounds (about 17,380 U.S. dollars) of taxpayers' money to pay for personal accountancy advice, and is believed in a tax return processing.
The other seven being Jacqui Smith, Hazel Blears, David Miliband, James Purnell, Douglas Alexander, Geoff Hoon and Hilary Benn, with the ninth minister unnamed.
Labour sources said, however, such advice claims were within Commons rules.
The paper said it is now focusing on office expense claims, after its revelations about MPs' second home allowances shook Westminster.
The paper also said Schools Secretary Ed Balls claimed for a Remembrance Day poppy wreath, but Balls responded by insisting that it was a mistake by a member of his staff.
Of the total 11,000 pounds (about 17,380 dollars) for all nine ministers, Darling's accountancy bills came to 1,400 pounds (about 2,217 dollars) over two years.
The chancellor said he had paid an accountant to prepare tax returns "to ensure...the correct amount of tax was paid in respect of my office costs."
Responding to Sunday night's Telegraph claims, the Labour source told the BBC, "The fees office Green Book - which sets out the rules and advice on behalf of the parliamentary authorities - states specifically that professional advice, for example from accountants or solicitors, is an allowable expense."
"In order that MPs comply fully with all the relevant requirements relating to tax, and to ensure they are properly meeting all their tax liabilities, many rightly seek professional assistance and advice where this relates specifically to their role as members of Parliament," the source said.
The newspaper also claims several ministers claimed for gadgets such as digital cameras and camcorders.
Deputy Labor leader Harriet Harman was said to have used more than 10,000 pounds (about 15,800 dollars) of public funds to pay for advice from a media consultant, in respect of advising and drafting speeches, and the drafting of questionnaires to her constituents, editing of her annual report to her constituents on issues such as housing.
(Xinhua News Agency May 26, 2009)
