Report reveals MP earns £5,500 per year from rental property (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Report reveals MP earns £5,500 per year from rental property

NORTH Swindon MP Michael Wills has been paid thousands of pounds by tenants renting property from him in London, a new report has shown.

According to the official register of MPs' interests, the Labour politician earns at least £5,500 a year from the commercial letting.

Information on the number of premises belonging to the MP is not included in the register, which was published on Tuesday. But it does reveal the business sites are in north west London.

Mr Wills also declared a collection of other assets. The entry in the register says: "My financial interests and those of my wife are in a blind trust, the details of which have been laid in the house."

Putting financial assets in a blind trust ensures the MP cannot be guilty of any conflict of interest because he does not see specific details of his investments.

MPs are free to keep any money they make outside parliament.

This boosts the £57,000 a year they are paid as politicians by taxpayers.

South Swindon MP Julia Drown made no declarations in the register of interests.

James Gray, the North Wiltshire MP, revealed he gets research support from CARE Christian Action for Research and Education.

He also listed his chairmanship of James Gray Consultants Ltd, a business he set up and runs but which is currently dormant.