Husband and wife MPs claim thousands - to pay for their burglar alarm

Sir Nicholas and his wife were given security protection 20 years ago when some Conservative  MPs were considered to be at risk from the IRA.

But they have carried on claiming the cash – even for part of their electricity bill to run the alarm – despite attempts by security chiefs to withdraw such assistance on the grounds that it is no longer justified.

Controversy: Husband and wife MPs Nicholas and Ann Winterton face further criticism for claiming Home Office cash to pay for their alarm system

The disclosure comes days after the Wintertons were censured by the Commons’ sleaze watchdog for claiming £165,000 rent from expenses on a £700,000 London flat they already owned outright.

That investigation was ordered after their claims were exposed by The Mail on Sunday in February.

Now the couple face further criticism for getting the Home Office to pay for the state-of-the-art alarm system at their home in Congleton, on the grounds that they are terrorist targets.

The protection was granted in the days of the IRA bombing campaign.

Although he has never held a Government post, or a major Opposition role, Right-wing MP Sir Nicholas was a fierce critic of the IRA.

He was close to Tory MP Ian Gow, who was assassinated by Irish Republican terrorists in a car bomb at his country home in 1990.

This newspaper understands that Sir Nicholas said that he was entitled to continued Home Office-funded protection, despite the end of the IRA threat, because he was also at risk from animal rights extremists.

Their luxury farmhouse in Congleton, Cheshire, has benefited from a state-of-the-art alarm system since the days of the IRA bombing campaign

He is a non-executive director of an international property company that has been targeted by animal rights extremists in the past.

Sir Nicholas could not be contacted yesterday.

Lady Winterton said: ‘I am not answering questions from The Mail on Sunday.’

Asked about claims for their security system, she said: ‘Get in touch with the Home Office.

'You had better talk to the authorities about this.’

She then ended the phone call.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘It is our long-established policy not to comment on protective security arrangements and their associated costs.’

The Mail on Sunday understands that security chiefs have told the Wintertons they no longer need state protection, but the couple have insisted on retaining it.

A senior Tory close to David Cameron, appalled by the MPs’ conduct, called for them to stand down at the next Election.

Although friends of Sir Nicholas, 70, and Lady Winterton, 67, say they have no plans to retire, the source added: ‘The Wintertons are not doing the party or themselves any favours by staying on.’