Darling's four 'second homes'

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MPs can bill the taxpayer for just over £24,000 a year to fund a "second home". Mr Darling originally declared his main residence as a small flat in Lambeth which he shared with Labour MP Lewis Moonie - who was later ennobled and is now one of the peers under investigation over claims of being willing to accept payments to facilitate changes in legislation.

Mr Darling rented a room from Lord Moonie and was able to claim the second home allowance on his Edinburgh constituency family property. But, in September 2005, he told the Commons authorities that his Edinburgh house was his main home and used the second home allowance to meet the costs of a flat near the Oval cricket ground. These included £2,260 on stamp duty; £1,238 for legal fees; £2,074 for furniture, including a £768 bed from M&S and purchases totalling £765 from Ikea; and £2,339 on carpeting.

After being made Chancellor, he initially claimed No11 Downing Street as his "second home" but then changed it again to be his Edinburgh property, while also renting out his London flat. Mr Darling said: "The claims were made within House of Commons rules."