THURROCK MP Jackie Doyle-Price has snubbed one of her own ministers in the ongoing row over MPs’ expenses.

Equalities Minister Helen Grant visited the Thurrock Council chamber on Monday for the launch of the 16 Days of Action campaign, which aims to tackle the problem of violence against women and children.

But Jackie snubbed the event, saying she didn’t wish to share a stage with her Tory colleague.

Channel 4 news programme Dispatches recently broadcast a list of landlords renting to 300 MPs, who are then claiming the rent back on expenses.

That led to Mrs Grant being forced to defend claiming the maximum expenses for a second home in London, despite living just 19 miles from Parliament.

Mrs Grant, appointed to the Ministry of Justice in September’s reshuffle, lives in a £1.8million home in Reigate, Surrey – outside her Maidstone constituency.

She also rents a plush flat near the MI6 building in Vauxhall. Her claims are within Parliamentary rules.

Jackie, who doesn’t claim for a second home, fumed: “I only heard she was coming on the grapevine, but chose not to go as I disapprove of Helen Grant’s expense claims and I don’t really wish to be associated with that kind of behaviour.

“Nonetheless I do support the 16 Days campaign and I will be attending the closing event on December 10.”