TORY MP David Curry has taken over as the chairman of the Commons sleaze watchdog, it was revealed today.

The MP for Skipton and Ripon was elected as Sir George Young's successor on the Standards and Privileges Committee at a meeting this morning, officials confirmed.

Sir George gave up his responsibilities after David Cameron appointed him shadow leader of the House last month.

The committee is also understood to have discussed a report from parliamentary standards commissioner John Lyon concerning former minister Tony McNulty's expenses.

However, it has yet to decide whether any punishment needs to be imposed.

The Harrow East MP was criticised for claiming some £60,000 towards a London property where his parents lived, which was just eight miles from his own main home.