Tourism minister Barbara Follett is to stand down at the next election in the wake of the MPs’ expenses scandal.
Follett, 66, the MP for Stevenage, said on her website that she was standing down to spend more time with her large family. She is currently the minister for culture, creative industries and tourism, and minister for the east of England.
Follett, who is married to author Ken Follett, claimed more than £25,000 over four years on parliamentary expenses for security patrols outside her home because she said she did not feel safe living in London.
She has since agreed to return a total of £32,976 for the security services and various other claims.
Follett is married to author Ken Follett, who has an estimated annual income of £13 million. They own properties in Cape Town, Antigua, Hertfordshire and central London.
