A DUP MP has been reported to the Common's Standards Commissioner for asking businesses in his constituency to consider donating to a food bank.
Paul Girvan, had written to businesses in his South Antrim constituency to encourage them to support a local food bank charity, using his official Westminster letterhead stationery.
Mr Girvan revealed he had been contacted by the parliamentary watchdog because one of the business owners " took umbrage at receiving the letter on House of Commons stationery".
"He has reported me to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner. I am cooperating with the commissioner's investigation," he said.
Mr Girvan is being investigated under paragraph 15 of the House of Common's Code of Conduct for Members states:
"Members are personally responsible and accountable for ensuring that their use of any expenses, allowances, facilities and services provided from the public purse is in accordance with the rules laid down on these matters.
"Members shall ensure that their use of public resources is always in support of their parliamentary duties.
"It should not confer any undue personal or financial benefit on themselves or anyone else, or confer undue advantage on a political organisation."
While the MP received support from many members of the public in relation his appeal for the local food bank, Sinn Féin's John O'Down responded saying: "It is not your use of parliamentary resources that concerns me, but your support for the Tory government policies which create food banks does."
