Skipton MP David Curry stepped down from his role as the chairman of the Commons sleaze watchdog tonight, pending an inquiry into his second home allowance claims.

Conservative Mr Curry is facing allegations that he claimed almost £30,000 towards the cost of a property that his wife does not allow him to use.

According to the Daily Telegraph, she demanded he did not use the cottage in Yorkshire as a condition of their reconciliation after she discovered he was having an affair.

After being challenged about the claims, Mr Curry has referred his case to John Lyon, the Parliamentary Commission-er for Standards who investigates alleged expenses abuse.

Mr Lyon’s reports are passed to the Standards and Privileges Committee – to which Mr Curry was appointed as chairman last month – for its recommendations for punishment.

Mr Curry said tonight: “I used the cottage to carry out my duties as a constituency MP and am content with my arrangements.

“However, given the particular responsibilities of the chairman of the Committee of Standards and Privileges, I shall refer my case to the Commissioner on Parliamentary Standards John Lyon and will stand down from the chairmanship during the course of his inquiries.”

Mr Curry, a former Tory minister, designated the cottage as his second base in 2005 after moving back into his family home in Essex. Since then, he has claimed £28,078 in expenses towards its upkeep. He also claimed about £250 a month towards the mortgage until it was paid off in 2007.

The Telegraph reported that when Mr Curry visited in his constituency he usually stayed at the £40-a-night Travelodge.

Mr Curry has already announced he is stepping down from Parliament at the next general election.