Labour MP spent £500,000 of taxpayers' money running office from home staffed by wife

A Labour MP used almost £500,000 of taxpayers' money over six years to help run an office from his home which was staffed by his wife.

David Marshall, 67, who has quit to spark the Glasgow East by-election on July 24, used the expenses to pay for a constituency office and staff.

But Mr Marshall's office was in his semi-detached Glasgow home and he employed his wife Tina as his secretary. It is also believed he paid his daughter Christina to work from his home from the same pool of money.

A Commons spokesman said MPs can use their home as an office but only claim for additional costs like 'extra phone lines, heating and lighting'.

From 2001-2007, Mr Marshall claimed £91,000 incidental expenses provision, which is used to pay for constituency offices, plus £400,000 for staff and £11,000 for their travel expenses.

He listed only one member of staff on the Commons register - Christina Marshall. It was unclear if this was his wife Tina or daughter Christina.

Neighbours and political sources said his wife had worked for him - with Labour ex-Minister Brian Wilson saying that Mrs Marshall had worked for her husband as a constituency secretary.

Mr Marshall is said to be suffering clinical depression. Party sources said he felt 'under pressure' over the expenses allegations.

The family refuses to comment on why he spent so much on office expenses, why he ran an office from home and what family members were on his payroll.