Watchdog to probe Osborne's expenses

LONDON (Reuters) - A parliamentary watchdog will investigate expense claims by shadow chancellor George Osborne, an official said on Thursday.

A scandal over parliamentary expense claims has affected politicians from all major parties and has ended the careers of some MPs.

Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon "has accepted a complaint about Mr Osborne", a spokeswoman said.

She said the complaint related to Osborne's expenses but declined to give details.

The complaint was filed by Laurie Burton, chair of the Labour Party in Osborne's Cheshire constituency.

The Guardian's website quoted from a letter Lyon sent to Burton saying he would investigate an allegation that Osborne had claimed for mortgage payments that were "not necessarily incurred".

Osborne is favourite to become Chancellor if the Conservatives win an election due within the next year, as appears likely.

A spokesman for Osborne said the complaint was "a political complaint by the local Labour party".

"George is relaxed about it and has always been very open in answering questions about his expenses," he said.