Duncan: I'm being persecuted

Alan Duncan, the shadow leader of the Commons, yesterday criticised what he called a "witch-hunt" against him and other MPs over their expenses.

Mr Duncan accused The Daily Telegraph of "deceitful journalism of the lowest sort" after the newspaper published new allegations over his second-home claims. It was alleged he claimed the costs of mortgage interest payments despite owning the home outright.

The MP for Rutland and Melton bought his constituency home in 1992 without a mortgage and designated it as his second home, the Telegraph said.

In 2004 he took out a £271,000 mortgage on the house and claimed back £1,400 a month in interest payments, the newspaper claimed.