This is not shocking in itself. Personally, I would go to great lengths to avoid mixing work and home life, but that is a matter of choice.
There is nothing in the rules that says an MP may not employ a relative as long as they work for the money.
All MPs receive an allowance from the tax payer to fund the running of their office. It is enough to cover about two salaries and the other expenses involved such as office equipment and rental.
I use mine to employ two people, one in Exeter and the other at Westminster to deal with the almost limitless demands made on an MP�s office.
These include answering the telephone, replying to the scores of letters I receive each day, trying to help solve the problems of individual constituents, researching issues for speeches or meetings I am making and arranging my diary in Exeter and at Parliament.
There is easily enough work for four people and I am usually fortunate enough to receive extra help from enthusiastic student volunteers.
That is why I feel it is inconceivable that any MPs� office could afford to carry someone who was not pulling his or her weight.
I am told that in the past some MPs kept their wives (it was usually wives) on the pay roll to help boost the family income when MPs� pay was poor.
Now MPs are paid well there is no excuse for that.
All of this used to be shrouded in mystery, but, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, MPs will from this month have to account for the money they spend.
So at long last the public will be able to judge for themselves if they think their taxes are being well spent.
