Inquiry resumes despite MP's illness

The Luton South MP is facing questions about her 22,500 claim for dry rot treatment at a second home which was nowhere near Westminster or her constituency.

Standards Commissioner John Lyon had agreed to suspend his inquiry because she was too ill to co-operate. Ms Moran has been off work with stress since she was engulfed in the expenses scandal last May.

Mr Lyon's office confirmed yesterday that the investigation was again under way. Aides stressed that the decision was taken before the airing of a Channel 4 Dispatches programme which showed the MP telling journalists posing as lobbyists that she had influence over senior Government figures.

Ms Moran, who has already announced she is stepping down from Parliament at the general election, has been suspended from the Labour Party over the footage.