Pensions Minister Paul Maynard should not have whip removed - PM

Pensions Minister Paul Maynard should not have the whip removed over claims he broke parliamentary rules by using taxpayer money to fund party work, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) confirmed on Sunday it would assess the claims made against the Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP.

Opposition MPs later called for Mr Maynard to have the whip suspended.

However, Mr Sunak said that was "not the normal approach".

The Sunday Times reported allegations that Mr Maynard used his constituency office, for which he received parliamentary funding from Ipsa, as the premises of his local Conservative Association as well.

The paper said a member of the association contacted it as she was concerned parliamentary rules were being broken and had tried, but failed, to get the Conservative Party to stop what was happening.

It also said she claimed Mr Maynard also used facilities in his office to print overtly campaigning material.

Ipsa told the BBC the matter would be referred to its compliance officer who would assess the facts and determine whether to take the matter further.

The BBC has contacted Mr Maynard for comment but has not received any reply.

However, he told the Sunday Times he had "financial agreements in place with Ipsa over the ad hoc use of my constituency office by the local Conservative association".

"I believe that these arrangements are appropriate, but will be seeking clarification from Ipsa to ensure this is the case," he said.

"I will, of course, abide by any findings they make and ensure that any payments deemed necessary can be made promptly."

Speaking on a visit to Accrington, Mr Sunak told BBC Radio Lancashire removing the whip, which would mean Mr Maynard sat as an independent until the party allowed him back in, was "not the normal approach".

"There are processes that are independent [and] that are established in Parliament to make sure all rules are followed," he said.

"It's right that those processes happen as they affect all MPs. That's the right thing to do.

"There are independent processes of government and those processes should always be followed."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]