In a letter to John Lyon the Commissioner, the Sunlight Centre for Open Politics stated that despite being cleared of breaching the Ministerial Code by Sir Philip Mawer, it has subsequently emerged that Mr Malik is unable to provide any receipts or a written rental agreement to support his claims for the rent claimed on his constituency home.

That alone is enough to warrant an investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commission, however, allegations of further expenses controversies on the part of Mr Malik have now come to light.

While claiming for the full allowance for a London home, which we accept was within the rules, the question must be addressed of whether Mr Malik was misusing his office allowances in order to subsidise his constituency home, which would explain the below market rate rent for his home.

As reported this morning this morning, Mr Malik is alleged to be claiming office expenses for his constituency property and and a thorough investigation is required to make sure this is a legitimate use of public money.

Harry Cole from the Sunlight Centre for Open Politics said;

” ‘The Green Book’ rules for MPs’ expenses that were in place when these claims were made, stated: “You must ensure that arrangements for your office and surgery premises are above reproach and that there can be no grounds for a suggestion of misuse of public money.” (5.12.1) In our view Mr Malik’s arrangements were clearly not “above reproach” and there is prima facie evidence to suggest there has been “misuse of public money”.”

Jacqui Smith II

We feel that this is unjustified and that it is in the public interest to see how a public body conducts and handles an investigation into a public charity.

We will be appealing the decision.

By Robert Hutton and Gonzalo Vina

July 18 (Bloomberg) — Britain’s charity regulator criticized the Smith Institute over its links with Gordon Brown and his Labour Party, saying it failed to maintain the political neutrality required for its tax-exempt status.

The Charity Commission also said Brown failed to answer its questions about his relationship with the institute, which is run by a university friend of his, Wilf Stevenson. Smith trustees include Murray Elder, a childhood friend of Brown, and three men who helped fund his bid to become prime minister.

“It is shocking that Brown refused to respond to any correspondence from the Charity Commission during their inquiry,” said Greg Clark, a lawmaker for the Conservative opposition who speaks on charities. “The Smith Institute did act in a party political way that was wholly inappropriate.” [more]

Smith Institute Criticised for Being ‘Too Party Political’ The Guardian

David Hencke, Westminster correspondent

The trustees of the Smith Institute were criticised by the Charity Commission yesterday for allowing it “to become exposed to concerns it had supported government policy and was involved in party political activity inappropriate for a charity”. [more]

Smith Institute ‘Breached Law’ Sky News

A think-tank with close links to Gordon Brown was today found to have breached charity law by getting involved in party politics. [more]

Think-Tank Warned About Balance BBC

[more]

We are absorbing the report before commenting further.