AN MP says he will not claim for a second home allowance even if he is allowed to under new parliamentary rules.

Expenses watchdog, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, could allow about 50 MPs the right to a second home allowance.

These include East Thurrock’s Stephen Metcalfe -however, Mr Metcalfe said he would not take up the second home allowance, even a change of rules meant he was allowed.

MPs living within an hour, or 20 miles, of the House or Commons have been barred from claiming mortgage interest payments or rent for a second home since the start of this parliament, in a bid to get tough with expenses claims.

However, the watchdog is now considering relaxing the rules for those who live furthest away, following complaints some MPs are struggling to get home after late sittings at Westminster.

Despite the possible change, Mr Metcalfe said: “The c2c train service is pretty good. I can’t envisage a situation where I’d have to claim for rent or an overnight hotel.

“I would say there are other MPs who are in a more difficult situation. It’s not always about distances, it’s whether there are train connections and things like that.”