News
Friday, May 08, 2009
The Daily Telegraph has published an article stating the following:
"Margaret Moran, the Labour MP for Luton, spent £22,500 of taxpayers' money treating dry rot at her and her husband's seaside house 100 miles from her constituency – days after switching her "second home" there.
The parliamentary authorities were concerned that the work broke the "spirit" of the rules. However, the MP's claim was not blocked. Miss Moran's expenses appear to be among the most questionable of any MP.
Over four years she also spent thousands of pounds on three separate properties, switching between Westminster, Luton and Southampton and renovating each home in turn."
Nigel Huddleston said: "I shall be writing to Ms Moran asking her to explain herself. But I won't hold my breath for an apology from her."
"This revelation is absolutely outrageous, and yet does not surprise me in the slightest - and I doubt anyone in Luton will be surprised either. Ms. Moran's voracious appetite for spending taxpayers money is widely known. It speaks volumes about how out of touch Ms Moran is that she sees nothing wrong in this behaviour, despite clearly breaking the spirit of the rules."
"That she thinks these kinds of expenses are acceptable when thousands of her constituents are struggling with bills in the middle of recession is truly astounding."
"That she consider it appropriate to use tax payers money in this way raises serious questions about her judgement."
Readers of this site will be aware that Nigel Huddleston recently wrote to House of Commons authorities asking them to investigate Ms Moran's use of public money to fund a partisan website which appears to be against all guidelines on the use of Communications Allowance. Scroll down this page for the full story...
The Daily Telegraph has published an article stating the following:
"Margaret Moran, the Labour MP for Luton, spent £22,500 of taxpayers' money treating dry rot at her and her husband's seaside house 100 miles from her constituency – days after switching her "second home" there.
The parliamentary authorities were concerned that the work broke the "spirit" of the rules. However, the MP's claim was not blocked. Miss Moran's expenses appear to be among the most questionable of any MP.
Over four years she also spent thousands of pounds on three separate properties, switching between Westminster, Luton and Southampton and renovating each home in turn."
Nigel Huddleston said: "I shall be writing to Ms Moran asking her to explain herself. But I won't hold my breath for an apology from her."
"This revelation is absolutely outrageous, and yet does not surprise me in the slightest - and I doubt anyone in Luton will be surprised either. Ms. Moran's voracious appetite for spending taxpayers money is widely known. It speaks volumes about how out of touch Ms Moran is that she sees nothing wrong in this behaviour, despite clearly breaking the spirit of the rules."
"That she thinks these kinds of expenses are acceptable when thousands of her constituents are struggling with bills in the middle of recession is truly astounding."
"That she consider it appropriate to use tax payers money in this way raises serious questions about her judgement."
Readers of this site will be aware that Nigel Huddleston recently wrote to House of Commons authorities asking them to investigate Ms Moran's use of public money to fund a partisan website which appears to be against all guidelines on the use of Communications Allowance. Scroll down this page for the full story...
The Conservative party response to the recent expenses debacle is outlined below:
We have made it clear all along that that there needs to be reform of MPs' expenses. MPs should not determine their own pay and allowances and there needs to be a reduction in the things for which MPs can claim.
. It is right that every MP should justify what they have claimed and how they have complied with the rules.
WHAT WE'VE BEEN CALLING FOR:
. We need a solution which is transparent, costs less than the current arrangements, and restores faith in the political process.
. Transparent Parliamentary Allowance: We would replace the current second homes allowance with a Transparent Parliamentary Allowance - as an interim measure until the independent Committee on Public Standards report. The allowance would be lower than current levels.
- Those living in Greater London / 20 miles / within reasonable distance would not be able to claim.
- MPs who co-habit could only claim once.
- Mandatory annual public declarations by MPs justifying designation of primary and additional home (including all relevant details - i.e. parents'/family home).
. Claims and receipts. Claims could only be made for rent, utility bills, council tax and mortgage interest payments, subject to a new cap. MPs would not be able to claim for stamp duty, TV bills, furniture or decorations. All claims and receipts must be published online within 28 days. Receipts would be required for all claims.
. Reducing the cost of politics. We also want to abolish the communications allowance - worth £10,000 - and reduce the number of MPs.
. No more unnecessary allowances. We will no longer allow Ministers with grace-and-favour residences to claim the second home allowance. If elected, David Cameron has pledged that no Conservative member with a grace-and-favour residence in London - including himself - will be able to claim the second homes allowance.
. Employment. MPs' staff should be employed centrally by the House of Commons.
. Second jobs. We want greater transparency on remuneration from second jobs and tighter controls on ex-Ministers taking jobs.
. Auditing. We are also calling for independent spot-checks and audits of expenses.
« back