SNP politicians reported to parliamentary watchdog after allegedly paying for affairs on expenses

Stewart Hosie, left, and Angus MacNeil have been reported to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner (PA)

Two SNP MPs have been reported to the parliamentary standards watchdog over allegations they conducted affairs with a journalist at hotels or accommodation paid for on expenses.

Angus MacNeil and SNP economics spokesman Stewart Hosie, are both alleged to have had separate extra-marital affairs with Westminster journalist Serena Cowdy.

Mr MacNeil, who announced his separation from his wife last year, is alleged to have stayed with Ms Cowdy at the Park Plaza hotel in London and claimed for the room on MP’s expenses.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw has written to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner calling for an investigation into the conduct of both MPs.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said she has seen no evidence of any breach of parliamentary expenses rules.

Mr Carlaw claimed that if the affairs had been carried out in accommodation paid for on expenses it would break rules which say expenses should only be used “in support of parliamentary duties” and not in activity that could “cause significant damage to the reputation and integrity of the House of Commons”.

Mr Carlaw said: “The SNP says there is no financial impropriety – but it is widely reported that Angus MacNeil stayed with Ms Cowdy at a hotel in London and put the bill on expenses. The best course is for the Standards Commissioner to look into the matter.”

An SNP spokeswoman said: “The expenses were approved by the Commons authorities in line with the rules on MPs’ London accommodation, and none involved any additional cost to the public purse

“This is the height of hypocrisy from the Tories, given the extent of flagrant abuse of expenses by their MPs.”

Mr MacNeil has claimed around £90,000 in accommodation expenses since 2010/11, mostly for hotels in the London area. He owns a flat in south London.

Mr MacNeil said: "My accommodation in London is claimed under normal expenses, as is the case for all MPs, and the cost of this is compliant with the rules of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA).

"I don't like to comment on my personal life or related tabloid stories, but my marriage sadly ended for very different reasons to what has been suggested in lurid newspaper stories this week.

"For the record, as if I even need to say, I have never had so much as a crossed word with my colleague Stewart Hosie MP."

Questions over hotel accommodation have chiefly centred on Mr MacNeil. Mr Hosie is alleged to have had a later affair with Ms Cowdy and has been included in the complaint to the Commissioner.

Mr Hosie recently separated from his wife, SNP Scottish Assembly member Shona Robison.