SNP says '˜no impropriety' over Angus MacNeil hotel expenses claim

TWO SNP MPs, who were allegedly involved in a love triangle with a Westminster journalist, have been reported to the UK parliamentary watchdog.

SNP MP Angus MacNeil. Picture: Contributed

The Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw has written to the UK Parliament’s Standards Commissioner calling for an investigation into claims that Angus MacNeil and Stewart Hosie conducted their affairs with Serena Cowdy in hotels or accommodation paid for by the taxpayer.

He said: “The SNP says there is no financial impropriety – but it is widely reported that Angus MacNeil stayed with Ms Cowdy at a hotel in London and put the bill on expenses. The best course is for the Standards Commissioner to look into the matter.”

Mr MacNeil, 45, announced his separation from his wife last year while Mr Hosie and wife Shona Robison, Scotland’s Health Secretary, announced on Sunday they were separating. He chooses to stay in hotels while working in Westminster and rents out the flat he owns in London claiming the cost of the hotels back in parliamentary expenses.

An SNP spokeswoman said: “The expenses were approved by the Commons authorities in line with the rules on MPs’ London accommodation, and none involved any additional cost to the public purse.

“This is the height of hypocrisy from the Tories, given the extent of flagrant abuse of expenses by their MPs.”