MP will pay back money given to son

10:15am Thursday 7th August 2008

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OLD Bexley and Sidcup MP Derek Conway has been criticised for accepting an installment arrangement to pay back some of the money he paid his student son from his MP's allowances.

Earlier this year, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards announced the findings of his investigation into payments of more than £40,000 of taxpayers' money to Mr Conway's younger son Freddie for acting as a researcher, although no record of his work could be found.

Mr Conway was suspended from the House of Commons for 10 days, had the Tory Party whip withdrawn and will stand down at the next election.

He was also ordered to pay back £13,160, but will only pay it back at a rate of £1,096 a month, deducted from his salary.

Liberal Democrat Duncan Borrowman, who will fight the seat at the next general election, said: "Mr Conway clings on to the Old Bexley and Sidcup seat in Parliament, and will pick up a fat pension from taxpayers after the general election, but all he is paying back is a derisory £13,160 in 12 installments.

"If I was him I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with the guilt."

Mr Conway has said the arrangement for monthly repayments was similar to those made for MPs of other political parties.