Osbourne faces probe over expenses

Shadow chancellor George Osborne is to be investigated by a sleaze watchdog over his second home allowance claims, it was revealed today.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon said he would look into complaints lodged by a Labour activist related to his claims for mortgage interest.

In a letter to Laurie Burton, the chair of the local Labour Party in Mr Osborne's Tatton constituency, he said: "I have accepted your complaint and am inviting his comments."