More than a quarter of MPs put relatives on the payroll - at the taxpayers' expense

More than a quarter of MPs employ family members at the taxpayer's expense, it was revealed yesterday.

At least 177 MPs, including three Cabinet ministers and six ministers, admitted paying relatives out of their £90,000 staffing allowance.

Ten of the MPs employ more than one family member, the official register of members' interests shows.

Ian Paisley employed three relatives, including his son who is a prominent Northern Irish politician.

Husband and wife Peter and Iris Robinson, also of the DUP, employ four relatives between them – two sons, a daughter and a daughter-in-law.

The Tory Northern Ireland spokesman Laurence Robertson employs both his wife, from whom he is separated, and his current girlfriend.

There is no suggestion that any of the MPs have broken the rules.

But the revelations could prove controversial after it emerged earlier this year that Tory MP Derek Conway was overpaying his son out of expenses.

The true number of MPs employing relatives will be higher, because signing the register will not be compulsory until August.

The Cabinet ministers who employ relatives are Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn and Housing Minister Caroline Flint. 

Others declared gifts they had received. Health secretary Alan Johnson got a free trip to the Brit Awards, while Michael Howard was given two free Saga cruises.

David Cameron accepted free use of a Subaru Outback and free helicopter and private plane trips from eight firms.

Tory MP Tony Baldry, meanwhile, was given two pedigree Gloucestershire Old Spot sows from his constituency association to mark his 25th year in Parliament.

Keeping it in the family: Peter Robinson and his wife Iris, of the Democratic Unionists, employ four relatives between them