Geoffrey Cox is facing fresh questions today after it emerged he took out a £3,900 loan from the taxpayer to cover the deposit on renting a London flat – at the same time as renting out his own property in the capital.
Following his defiance at earning millions of pounds through his legal’sideline”, the ex-Attorney General now faces more pressure about his accommodations arrangements.
In 2017 the Torridge & West Devon MP moved out of his own property in London, and started claiming around £1,900 a month on expenses for another flat in the capital.
The arrangement does not break any rules, but Sir Geoffrey is reported to be renting his Battersea property out for around £1,000 a week.
MailOnline can also reveal that Sir Geoffrey received a £3,900 loan from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) in 2017 to pay the deposit on his new accommodation.
There is no evidence that rules were broken, however, Sir Geoffrey was making huge amounts from his legal practice. He has earned more than £5million since becoming an MP in 2005.
It is possible that the eminent QC received a deposit from his Battersea tenants. When the MP terminates his rental agreement, Ipsa will require repayment of the accommodation loan.
Sir Geoffrey has not responded to our request for comment. It is claimed that he may have been present in Mauritius as the drama unfolds.
Yesterday, however, he made a bullish defense of his outside earnings.
Geoffrey Cox faces more pressure regarding his accommodation arrangements. This comes after Cox sounded disapproval at earning millions from his legal sideline’.
Ipsa records indicate that Sir Geoffrey borrowed money to pay a deposit for renting accommodation. The rules were not broken, and the loan amount will have to be repaid at the end of the tenancy.
Sir Geoffrey’s entry on the MPs’ register of interests reveals declared ‘from November 2017, joint ownership of a residential property in London’ giving rental income of more than £10,000 a year
According to him, Chief Whip Mark Harper approved his vote in the Commons through proxy during the spring while he was in British Virgin Islands as an advisor on a corruption investigation launched by the Foreign Office.
Sir Geoffrey stated that the voters in Devon’s constituency were well informed about their representation by a working QC.
Also, he rejected the claims that he violated “basic” regulations when he conducted a hearing to determine whether there was corruption. The video link came from his parliamentary offices. A probe is being considered by the standards commissioner.
Sir Geoffrey was backbench MP when his accommodations arrangements changed in 2017, and was elected Attorney General the next year. This role he held until February 2020. He stopped his lucrative legal practice while he was still in government.
According to the Daily Mirror, Sir Geoffrey and his wife bought the property as a second home for £535,000 in 2004 and claimed £82,298 in mortgage interest payments over four years.
Following the expenses scandal, the rules were tightened so that no claims could be made for mortgage interest.
Sir Geoffrey allegedly continued using his Battersea Flat for several years. Ipsa records reveal that he claims only utility bills, and not service charges.
However, Sir Geoffrey’s entry on the MPs’ register of interests reveals declared ‘from November 2017, joint ownership of a residential property in London’ giving rental income of more than £10,000 a year.
The standards commissioner in 2019 rebuked Sir Geoffrey for not declaring the change in time. He said it was because he had decided to leave his former London residence. He apologized for the “oversight”.
Ipsa reviewed its policy in March 2017. It stated that it will continue to allow MPs to receive rental costs from IPSA even though they own London property.
The watchdog stated that it was possible for MPs to perceive personal gains if they receive rental income from their property and live in Ipsa-funded apartments.
“However our opinion hasn’t changed that MPs’ personal financial situations are not relevant ”tests” to decide if they should be supported by IPSA.
“We don’t want to be able to decide whether an MP should reside in their home or not.
‘Our concern is to ensure that MPs have the appropriate support they need to carry out their parliamentary roles, including suitable accommodation in two locations.’
Sir geoffrey refuted claims that he flouted basic regulations. A hearing was held for the corruption committee by video-link via his parliamentary office
Sir Alistair Graham is a former chairman of the Committee for Standards in Public Life.
He also criticised Sir Geoffrey, who claimed from the taxpayers while he was in the Caribbean.
He stated that if MPs have been expelled from the country (in the example of Mr Cox who has made huge amounts of money), then it is wrong to simultaneously claim public money to secure their homes.