MPs' Expenses Scandal
After details of MP's expense claims were released in the press, it was shown that Laing had avoided paying £180,000 Capital gains tax on the sale of her Westminster flat by declaring it as her primary residence. This was due to it having a higher value than her constituency home making it her primary residence under CGT rules. However, she had registered the flat as her second home with the Parliamentary Fees Office, and by doing so had claimed through her Additional Costs Allowance some of the interest due on her mortgage. Her constituency is Epping Forest, which is close to London and less than an hour's journey by tube. When questioned she said that prior to the sale of the flat she had sought the advice of her solicitor. Laing was cleared by the Legg Inquiry.; nonetheless, she voluntarily repaid £25,000. As a result of the scandal she also had to face an attempt to deselect her by her constituency party, led by the Leader of Epping Forest District Council - which she survived. The Telegraph subsequently published an apology into their reporting of the story.
Read more about this topic: Eleanor Laing
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