In reports over the weekend, allegations were made that Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross may have used parliamentary expenses to travel to one of his other jobs – working as a football linesman.
Now, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has said that it is “reviewing” the claims.
Mr Ross refutes the allegations.
IPSA said it will work with him if it does discover the rules were broken.
Mr Ross announced yesterday he would be standing down as Tory leader in Scotland and as a member of Scottish parliament after the general election if he wins a seat at Westminster.
What is going on with Ross’s expenses?
Reports in a Sunday newspaper raised concerns about 28 expense claims which appeared to be linked to his work as a sports official.
Under the current rules, Mr Ross was only able to claim for flights from his “home” airport – either Inverness or Aberdeen.
The Sunday Mail says questions were raised by his aides about a £58 parking fee at Inverness incurred when parliament was in recess.
It also stated £43 rail travel from Heathrow to central London was claimed the day after Mr Ross was a linesman in a match in Iceland.
Claims also include that he spent for a flight from London to Glasgow and £109 parking.
Mr Ross told the Sunday Mail it was “not possible” to go from London to a match as he would not have had his kit with him.
He told the paper: “I have only ever claimed expenses related to my role as a member of parliament and the costs of getting me to and from Westminster.
“These have all been agreed by IPSA, the independent body that oversees MPs’ expenses, but I would have no issue with them being scrutinised again.”
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