The Parliamentary sleaze watchdog has dismissed a complaint about Redditch MP Jacqui Smith's expenses - but is now considering "further correspondence" on the issue.
The office of John Lyon, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, said he would not be pursuing a complaint he received on Monday about the Home Secretary's use of the second homes allowance for MPs. But a spokeswoman added that he had since received further representations about the matter.
"I can confirm the Commissioner has received at least one further complaint," she said.
The additional complaint is currently being considered. The Commissioner's office would give no indication of how long that would take.
Ms Smith insisted that her claims for second home expenses on her family home while living with her sister in London were "above board".
She said she had checked with the Parliamentary authorities about the arrangement - under which she has claimed £116,000 over several years - and had "received assurances" it was within the rules.
"I have abided by the rules," she said. "Everything I have done is above board." But in a letter to Mr Lyon, Harry Cole, of the Centre for Open Politics, said there appeared to be "prima facie a case to answer in respect of Jacqui Smith's arrangements" and urged him to open an inquiry.
Conservative leader David Cameron told a news conference in Westminster that the arrangement did "not look very good".
The tax-free Additional Costs Allowance - worth up to £24,006 a year at present - is claimed by MPs for the costs, such as mortgage interest and fuel bills, of working in both Westminster and a constituency.
Under the rules, the main residence is where the MP "spends more nights than any other" although recent guidance said "value for money" for the taxpayer could be used as a factor if there was doubt which home that was.
