Damian Green 2005 as a spokesman on home affairs and shadow minister for immigration. Green is Chairman of Parliamentary Mainstream, a vice-president of the Tory Reform Group and is a vice-chairman of the John Smith Memorial Trust. During the UK parliamentary expenses scandal "The Daily Telegraph" newspaper revealed that, although Green's constituency is a mere 45-minute commute from Westminster, he claimed expenses for a designated second home in Acton, west London. Green has regularly claimed expenses up to the maximum of £400 for food. He has also claimed for the interest on his mortgage, for his council tax, and for his phone
United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal of criminal and tax evasion charges, and a motion of no confidence being prepared against the Speaker. Public interest in the expenses debate led to the 14 May 2009 edition of the BBC political and current affairs television programme "Question Time" recording its highest viewing figures in its 30-year run, of 3.8 million, with audience members heckling guest panellist Margaret Beckett. The following week's edition on 21 May was brought forward for a special edition into the prime time slot of 9 pm BST. Nadine Dorries, a Conservative MP, criticised the "Telegraph"'s handling, which she described as "picking off a