Sir Alan Beith was accused by a national newspaper of using expenses to pay for Gill Cheeseman to carry out campaign work during election time at his constituency office in Alnwick.

But Sir Alan told the Gazette that this was not the case and that Gill only did constuency-related case work at the Alnwick office during her time in the town.

He added that Gill used the constituency office because the House of Commons is closed during an election period.

He said: "During the General Election the House of Commons offices are closed but members' secretaries continue to be paid to do constituency work, replies continue to come from the minister.

"Members have to make alternative arrangements for a place of work for their secretarial staff during an election and it is normal practice to work in constituency offices.

"In Gill's case, she lives in London and has to have accommodation in order to do so.

"The alternative would be to rent office accommodation in London but that would probably be more expensive.

"Gill is the vice-chairman and now president of the Secretaries Staff Association and is extremely strict about observing the rules and only doing the work that is permitted under the rules."

Sir Alan claimed £911 on office expenses to pay for Gill's stay in Alnwick in May 2005, £880 was claimed for rent and £31 for travel costs.
He added that case work cannot stop during an election. Constituents still need help from their MP and staff are needed to carry out those duties.

A spokeswoman for Sir Alan at the Alnwick office said: "Case work continues during a general election and the rest of us take unpaid leave.

"Gill does nothing but case work."
She added that most MPs' case work is done from constituency offices during an election
G
ill has worked for Sir Alan at Westminster for 27 years.