MP Colin Breed has told the Cornish Times that part of his earnings away from the House of Commons are regarded as 'danger money'.

The Lib-Dem MP for South East Cornwall returned from troubled Iraq this week – as full details of his outside earnings were revealed.

Mr Breed, whose income is more than £230,000 a year, including expenses, was on official business supporting the Iraqi parliament as one of his extra jobs and was at the British Embassy when the bodies of two kidnapped British hostages arrived. 'It was a sad couple of days and it heightened the fact that we are in danger of being kidnapped,' said Mr Breed. 'I think that is one reason we get a bit more.'

Iraqi authorities found the remains of Jason Creswell and Jason Swindlehurst last week. They were among five men kidnapped in Baghdad in May 2007.

Mr Breed supports the Iraqi parliament for Global Partners and the Foreign Office and has earned around £25,000 for 30 days' work. In addition, he works between 15-20 days a year for the General Medical Council (GMC) for between £4,500 and £6,000.

This income is in addition to Mr Breed's £64,766 salary and £138,000 expenses. The MP said of the extra work: 'I think they are public service jobs. It is important work to try and get the Iraqi parliament to work.

'These are extensions of my parliamentary work, but I get paid extra for it, like ministers get paid extra for being ministers.'

Under new rules, MPs have to declare more details about their outside earnings.