MPs banned from employing their children using taxpayers' money

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The move comes after the case of Tory MP Derek Conway, who paid his son thousands of pounds.

A consultation paper, released by Leader of the Commons Harriet Harman, says the employment of sons and daughters by MPs was damaging the reputation of Parliament.

Derek Conway paid his son Henry more than £32,000 in allowances and bonuses

The document warned: 'Recent incidents involving the employment by MPs of their children, demonstrate clearly the negative impact this has on public confidence in members.'

However the report said that the 22 MPs who currently employ children as researchers would not be forced to find new staff, as the rules would not be retrospective.

The report, released yesterday, said MPs' offspring are unlikely to have the necessary experience to do Commons work effectively - unlike partners and spouses.

In total, MPs employ at least 14 daughters, nine sons, one daughter-in-law and one son-in-law.

MPs have a staffing allowance of £100,205 to pay for assistants.

Mark Wallace of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: 'MPs employing children, or indeed any family members, is an outdated practice.'