By Tom Mctague, Mail Online Deputy Political Editor A former government minister who resigned yesterday over the ‘intolerable’ pressure placed on his family by the new Commons expenses regime has been ridiculed today over his claim that £28,000 in rent is not enough. Mark Simmonds, the former Foreign Office minister, said the Commons housing allowance would force to him to live in the ‘outer reaches of London’ which he was not prepared to do. But the MailOnline has found a number of luxury flats within half a mile of Westminster which he could easily afford from his taxpayer-funded housing allowance.
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Estate agents reveal luxury flats and sprawling homes near Westminster
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Former minister Mark Simmonds said he could not afford to live in London
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Claimed the pressure on his family was 'intolerable' and was stepping down
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But MPs accuse Mr Simmonds of talking 'total nonsense'
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John Mann: 'It is an essential living allowance and it is generous.'
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Luxury properties are available within walking distance of Parliament
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Family homes within £28,000 budget easily found in commuting distance
He said: ‘Now of course MPs want to get into the business of travelling extensively from Westminster to the outer reaches of @placeholder to rent a flat then that’s up to them, it’s not the lifestyle I want, it is not the lifestyle I have chosen for my family.’