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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
John Stevens

Lee Anderson under investigation for using roof of taxpayer-funded office to film TV show

Tory loudmouth Lee Anderson is being investigated after he used the rooftop of his taxpayer-funded Commons office to film a promo for his £100,000-a-year TV show.

The Mirror revealed last month the Conservative deputy chairman had recorded a plug for the GB News programme on the parliamentary estate.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards announced today he had launched a sleaze probe into Mr Anderson.

The House of Commons said the matter under investigation was “the use of facilities [Roof Terrace on the Parliamentary estate] provided by Parliament”.

The MP used the location overlooking Whitehall and Parliament Square for the clip in which he pleaded for viewers to get in contact with questions for him.

Lee Anderson attempted to get one of his guests to eat cat food on his GB News programme (GB News)

“Have you got a problem and got nobody to turn to? Well look no further. Agony Anderson will solve all your problems,” he said.

“Contact me if you’ve got any problems, whether they are social or personal.”

The Code of Conduct for MPs states: “Excepting modest and reasonable personal use, Members must ensure that the use of facilities and services provided to them by Parliament, including an office, is in support of their parliamentary activities.”

Mr Anderson, who already earns £86,584 as an MP, has started moonlighting as a TV presenter even though he used to rail against those who split their time between the Commons and other work.

“I don’t have a second job, I love the job I have already,” he previously posted on Facebook.

Mr Anderson also publicly denounced ex-Cabinet minister Owen Paterson as he faced a row over outside work.

“We are paid handsomely for the job we do and if you need an extra £100,000 a year on top then you should really be looking for another job,” he posted.

In the first episode of his GB News show, Mr Anderson was recorded feeding cold baked beans to fellow Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith.

On the second programme, he attempted to persuade fellow presenter Michelle Dewberry to eat cat food, but she refused.

Rishi Sunak appointed Mr Anderson as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party in February despite his history of saying controversial things.

He has repeatedly ranted about struggling Brits relying on foodbanks - and earned the nickname '30p Lee' for his claims about the cost of meals.

The Ashfield MP sparked fury in January by claiming foodbank users squander their cash on cigarettes, alcohol, expensive TV subscriptions and holidays.

* Follow Mirror Politics on Snapchat, Tiktok, Twitter and Facebook.

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