SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn is under investigation by a parliamentary watchdog over claims he misused stationery.
The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards confirmed on its website that it is looking into whether the Aberdeen South MP broke the House of Commons code of conduct.
It comes two weeks after Flynn sent mugs to journalists with the writing on them: “Controls on family sizes. What’s the point of Labour?”
Alongside the cup was a note, which read: “The Labour Party has a new range of mugs in production.
“They’re made in China – just like Sir Keir Starmer’s latest policy.”
The stunt was an apparent reference to the Labour leader’s announcement that his party will not reverse the two-child benefit cap if it wins the next election.
The notes were all on House of Commons-headed paper.
The commissioner said its investigation into Flynn relates to paragraph eight of its code of conduct for MPs.
It 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, and is in accordance with all relevant rules.”
An SNP source said: “This farce shows Westminster at its most absurd. The two-child cap has pushed 20,000 Scottish children into poverty but instead of worrying about the Tories and Labour Party both backing the policy, Westminster is attacking the SNP for daring to speak out.
“This shameful policy cost families in Scotland £95.7m last year, with typical households losing £3235 to £6470 each, but instead of investigating the damage it has caused and Labour’s desire to back attacks on those in poverty, Westminster has launched an inquiry into the use of tiny handful of paper, with an approximate value of two pence.
“It tells you everything you need to know about Westminster’s skewed priorities.”
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