ROMSEY MP, Sandra Gidley, was this week dragged into an expenses row after accepting cash to give up her right to cheap rent.

Mrs Gidley was one of at least 13 MPs of all three major parties to take up on a windfall offered by a private company after low-rent apartments, owned by Westminster Council, changed hands.

Tenants at Dophin Square Estate, used for many years by MPs while on London business, were offered a lump sum either to move out or help pay for increased rent at the property.

Mrs Gidley has not disclosed the sum of her windfall, but said this week that she had used the money as a deposit for alternative low-cost accommodation.

The rest, she said, went on paying back contributions towards staff and office budgets she said she had made out of her own pocket.

She added that, along with other Lib Dem MPs involved, she had reported herself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Following the revelations in the Daily Telegraph, Mrs Gidley said: “I left my old flat in 2006 following the change in ownership. I would have preferred to stay, but it was clear to me that the cost to the taxpayer would have gone up dramatically. There was no option to move to a smaller flat within Dolphin Square.

“I therefore accepted the unexpected payment from the property developer, which was declared to the Inland Revenue and used some of the money as a deposit on my next rented flat – rather than claiming more directly from the public purse.

“The rest of the money I retained, as I have personally contributed to my staff and office budgets to the tune of several thousand pounds. This additional contribution has better enabled me to represent the seventy-odd thousand people within the constituency.

“This information has been in the public domain and was covered by the press over two years ago, and no-one has raised any concerns.

“But given the current interest around MP’s expenses, I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

“I am completely confident that I have always acted honourably, and would like to have this independently verified for the peace of mind of my constituents.”