Minister attacks expenses rules after Labour MP’s claim for ‘pet rent’

Watchdog accepted Taiwo Owatemi's claim for landlord's surcharge to let her keep dog in London flat

Ministers will ask the Commons authorities to consider changing rules which allowed a Labour whip to claim 900 in expenses to rent a pet-friendly flat in London.

The government will lobby the independent expenses regulator to look at allowance rules after Taiwo Owatemi claimed for a pet surcharge demanded by her landlord to allow her to keep her dog in the property.