MACKAY's EXPLANATION FAILS TO SATISFY ELECTORS

8.05.10pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 24th May 2009

Tory MP faces calls to resign and hold fresh election

At tonight's public meeting Andrew Mackay faced hostile questions from many angry constituents seeking an explanation for the second homes allowance that he has been claiming in recent years in pursuit of his Parliamentary duties.

David Cameron effectively sacked Andrew Mackay as his senior Parliamentary aide last week because he found the claims unacceptable, as did many of those present at the meeting. Despite the desperate efforts of his supporters to convince the meeting that he should remain as MP, it was clear the majority thought that Mr Mackay should resign or stand down at the next General Election.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Ray Earwicker, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell, said 'while he was happy to acknowledge the long service Andrew Mackay had given to the community, he had made a serious error of judgement in consistently claiming for a second-home allowance. While he may have acted within the rules, he most certainly had not acted within the spirit of the rules.

David Cameron had obviously found the claims unacceptable and so had the meeting. It was now for the local Conservative Party and ultimately the electorate to decide whether Andrew Mackay should remain as their MP. He did not think Andrew should remain in the circumstances and he looked forward to challenging the Conservatives for his seat at the earliest opportunity.'