- British MP suspended over expenses rort
- By Robert Barr
- The Age
- 17/05/2009 Make a Comment (1)
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 258 articles in 2009 )
Britain's governing Labour Party suspended a second member of Parliament for claiming reimbursement for nonexistent mortgage payments, officials said on Saturday, in a deepening scandal that has enraged the public.
Britain has seen its share of political controversies over the years, but few have tarnished all three of the country's main political parties in a single stroke.
Leaked MP expense claims for chandeliers, horse manure, pornography and moat upkeep on country estates, among other items, have enraged voters - many of whom have lost jobs and homes during Britain's deepening recession.
Police and prosecutors have been meeting to decide what, if any, action should be taken against lawmakers who misused parliamentary expenses. No charges had been filed.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "appalled and angered" by the revelations and said any lawmaker who is found to have defied the rules will not serve in his government.
In a contrite article to be published in Sunday's News of The World Newspaper, he said the public had the right to expect higher standards from politicians.
"For all those striving hard in these difficult times to do the best for their families, working long hours to give a better life for their children and to improve our public services and communities I apologise - on behalf of all parties - that the political system has let you and the public down," Brown said.
David Chaytor became the second Labour Party member of Parliament to be punished in the scandal. Chaytor, who says he made an "unforgivable error", was suspended after he was caught in The Daily Telegraph's continuing publication of previously secret expense claims. His Labour colleague, Elliot Morley, had been suspended after admitting the same offence.
Members of the opposition Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have also been caught up in outrage across Britain about the perks enjoyed by legislators.
Chaytor had claimed reimbursement of nearly STG13,000 ($A26,023) in 2005 and 2006 for a mortgage which had been paid off in 2004, The Daily Telegraph said.
"After speaking to David Chaytor this morning, the chief whip has suspended him from the privilege of membership of the Parliamentary Labour Party pending further investigations by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards," a spokesman for Brown said on condition of anonymity in line with office policy.
Chaytor said in a statement published by the newspaper that "in respect of mortgage interest payments, there has been an unforgivable error in my accounting procedures for which I apologise unreservedly. I will act immediately to ensure repayment is made to the Fees Office."
Chaytor's wife Sheena said he had made "a really stupid mistake."
"It was a mistake but I do not suppose anybody will believe that," she added.
Britain has seen its share of political controversies over the years, but few have tarnished all three of the country's main political parties in a single stroke.
Leaked MP expense claims for chandeliers, horse manure, pornography and moat upkeep on country estates, among other items, have enraged voters - many of whom have lost jobs and homes during Britain's deepening recession.
Police and prosecutors have been meeting to decide what, if any, action should be taken against lawmakers who misused parliamentary expenses. No charges had been filed.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "appalled and angered" by the revelations and said any lawmaker who is found to have defied the rules will not serve in his government.
In a contrite article to be published in Sunday's News of The World Newspaper, he said the public had the right to expect higher standards from politicians.
"For all those striving hard in these difficult times to do the best for their families, working long hours to give a better life for their children and to improve our public services and communities I apologise - on behalf of all parties - that the political system has let you and the public down," Brown said.
David Chaytor became the second Labour Party member of Parliament to be punished in the scandal. Chaytor, who says he made an "unforgivable error", was suspended after he was caught in The Daily Telegraph's continuing publication of previously secret expense claims. His Labour colleague, Elliot Morley, had been suspended after admitting the same offence.
Members of the opposition Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties have also been caught up in outrage across Britain about the perks enjoyed by legislators.
Chaytor had claimed reimbursement of nearly STG13,000 ($A26,023) in 2005 and 2006 for a mortgage which had been paid off in 2004, The Daily Telegraph said.
"After speaking to David Chaytor this morning, the chief whip has suspended him from the privilege of membership of the Parliamentary Labour Party pending further investigations by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards," a spokesman for Brown said on condition of anonymity in line with office policy.
Chaytor said in a statement published by the newspaper that "in respect of mortgage interest payments, there has been an unforgivable error in my accounting procedures for which I apologise unreservedly. I will act immediately to ensure repayment is made to the Fees Office."
Chaytor's wife Sheena said he had made "a really stupid mistake."
"It was a mistake but I do not suppose anybody will believe that," she added.
Source: https://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-world/british-mp-suspended-over-expenses-rort-20090517-b6xn.html
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