Anthony Steen, the Tory MP who announced yesterday that he is standing down at the election, has just been on the BBC's World at One explaining who's to blame for his departure.
Apparently, it's the Labour government. He said:
This was no fault on my part. We have a wretched government here which has completely mucked up the system and caused the resignation of me and many others because it was this government that introduced freedom of information.
Steen, who claimed nearly £90,000 over four years for his country home – including payments for tree surgery and guarding his shrubs against rabbits – also blamed "jealousy" for his demise.
He added:
Do you know what this is about? Jealousy. I've got a very, very large house. It's a merchant's house from the 19th century.It's not particularly attractive. It just does me nicely. I've got room to plant a few trees.
Speaking in the Commons today, Steen added the Daily Telegraph to the list of forces that brought him down.
He told MPs about "the wholly unjustifiable attack on me by the Daily Telegraph" that had resulted in his decision not to seek re-election.
There has been speculation about David Cameron forcing Steen to go, but Steen told the World at One this was not the case at all, saying:
The pressure came from the constituents. I took soundings and they were absolutely beside themselves with anger.
