IN the WMN of January 24, 2008 we published an article about Anthony Steen, MP. The article was entitled "I should have my own taxi! – MP's outburst over claim for special travel allowances" and purported to report a number of statements by Mr Steen.

The article alleged in the first few paragraphs that Mr Steen had sought outrageously excessive, inappropriate and unnecessary financial support from the public purse so that he could take taxis simply to avoid using public transport and, as such, his conduct is unbefitting of an MP.

We accept that these allegations are totally untrue and that Mr Steen was misreported in a number of respects. For example he did not say "I should have my own taxi!" or that he should have a special taxi allowance to get around London to avoid using the Underground.

Mr Steen takes taxis infrequently but believes that as part of the constituency travel arrangements MPs with heavy cases and papers should be entitled to travel from Westminster to the London train stations by taxi when the weather is inclement, an arrangement which has now been in existence for some years and has Parliamentary approval.

We accept that any suggestion that Mr Steen wishes to take advantage of the public purse is wrong. Accordingly we are happy to correct the false impression that was given by the article and to apologise to Mr Steen for the distress and embarrassment caused as a result.

We are happy to set the record straight.