MPs scandal 'put women off politics'

Ann Cryer used what may be her final Parliamentary appearance to warn that women had been deterred from entering national politics because of the treatment by the media.

And the Keighley MP – who won her appeal against having to repay more than 16,600 for renting a flat from her son-in-law – also criticised reforms of the expenses system which will prevent politicians from claiming for mortgage interest, saying it would pose a "real problem" for women getting back to their accommodation after late-night sittings.

"The sort of treatment that many of us in the House, particularly women, received from the Daily Telegraph and other newspapers has definitely put women off standing for election," she told MPs.

"Women know how hard those of us at the sharp end of things found the situation. I was eventually absolved and told that I had not done anything wrong, but I felt guilty for about four months, as if I were some sort of criminal."