Labour couple Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper probed over travel claims

Shadow cabinet couple Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper have been referred to the parliamentary sleaze watchdog over travel claims for their children.

A Tory MP complained after the shadow chancellor and shadow home secretary claimed more than £14,000 to fund 375 journeys for their three children between 2007 and 2010.

Andrew Bridgen said the claims were against the "spirit of the rules" because the couple's marriage allows them to claim twice as many free trips as other MPs with young families.

But a spokesman for the couple said no rules had been broken and highlighted that other MPs are able to claim travel expenses for their spouses.