Halstead’s Tory MP has claimed he has no wealth, just a big house.

In light of the expenses saga, the Halstead Gazette asked Sir Alan Haselhurst whether he thought wealthy MPs should be claiming expenses.

The deputy speaker said: “If some people chose not to claim, that’s their business."

Many of the deputy speaker’s peers are millionaires and even multi-millionaires.

Sir Alan, who represents the Saffron Walden constituency, added: “I haven’t got any wealth.

“I own a property which is worth whatever it’s market value is."

On Wikipedia Sir Alan is listed as a former director in his family pharmacy firm, however, he explained: “It’s ridiculous.

“I’m seeking to correct it. It makes it sound like a million pound company.

“It was a pharmacy shop."