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Sinn Fein in flats expenses row Sinn Fein in flats expenses row
(about 4 hours later)
Sinn Fein has hit back at Conservative claims it is "completely unacceptable" for their five MPs to claim expenses on two London flats.Sinn Fein has hit back at Conservative claims it is "completely unacceptable" for their five MPs to claim expenses on two London flats.
It emerged last week that Sinn Fein MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, have claimed more than £400,000 in allowances.It emerged last week that Sinn Fein MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, have claimed more than £400,000 in allowances.
The party says it has not broken any rules and its MPs use the flats.The party says it has not broken any rules and its MPs use the flats.
Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but have been entitled to allowances since a Commons vote in 2001.Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but have been entitled to allowances since a Commons vote in 2001.
The move was not part of the Good Friday agreement, but the then foreign secretary Robin Cook said: "We are more likely to secure further decommissioning if we demonstrate that we are willing to maintain the momentum on our side."The move was not part of the Good Friday agreement, but the then foreign secretary Robin Cook said: "We are more likely to secure further decommissioning if we demonstrate that we are willing to maintain the momentum on our side."
In the last financial year, Sinn Fein's five MPs Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty, Michelle Gildernew, and Conor Murphy each claimed £21,000 in Additional Cost Allowances - just short of the maximum.In the last financial year, Sinn Fein's five MPs Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness, Pat Doherty, Michelle Gildernew, and Conor Murphy each claimed £21,000 in Additional Cost Allowances - just short of the maximum.
'Democratic entitlements''Democratic entitlements'
Since the figures were first published in 2001/02, the Sinn Fein MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster as that would involve swearing allegiance to the Queen, have received a total of £437,405 in the taxpayer funded allowance.Since the figures were first published in 2001/02, the Sinn Fein MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster as that would involve swearing allegiance to the Queen, have received a total of £437,405 in the taxpayer funded allowance.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Sinn Fein MPs do not receive a salary from Westminster, nor do they employ any family members. Sinn Fein makes no apology for refusing to sit in the British House of Commons.A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Sinn Fein MPs do not receive a salary from Westminster, nor do they employ any family members. Sinn Fein makes no apology for refusing to sit in the British House of Commons.
"We also make no apology for ensuring that people who vote for Sinn Fein get the same democratic entitlements as everyone else.""We also make no apology for ensuring that people who vote for Sinn Fein get the same democratic entitlements as everyone else."
Martin McGuinness has rejected criticism of his party's stance on expenses
But the payments were strongly condemned by senior Conservatives.But the payments were strongly condemned by senior Conservatives.
Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson told The Daily Mail: "It is completely unacceptable for Sinn Fein representatives, who won't even sit in Parliament, to claim hundreds of thousands at the taxpayers' expense.Shadow Northern Ireland secretary Owen Paterson told The Daily Mail: "It is completely unacceptable for Sinn Fein representatives, who won't even sit in Parliament, to claim hundreds of thousands at the taxpayers' expense.
"That is why the Conservatives have consistently opposed members who refuse to take their seats receiving the accommodation allowance.""That is why the Conservatives have consistently opposed members who refuse to take their seats receiving the accommodation allowance."
Figures released last week show North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds had the 13th highest expenses bill, claiming a total of £171,609 towards travel, staffing and office running costs.Figures released last week show North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds had the 13th highest expenses bill, claiming a total of £171,609 towards travel, staffing and office running costs.
His DUP colleague, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson spent £161,095, with the South Antrim MP Willie McCrea spending £159,852.His DUP colleague, Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson spent £161,095, with the South Antrim MP Willie McCrea spending £159,852.
David Simpson, the DUP MP for Upper Bann, spent £158,903 with his party colleague Sammy Wilson the MP for East Antrim spending £156,932.David Simpson, the DUP MP for Upper Bann, spent £158,903 with his party colleague Sammy Wilson the MP for East Antrim spending £156,932.
The office, travel and staffing costs of Ian Paisley, the North Antrim MP, totalled £139,565.The office, travel and staffing costs of Ian Paisley, the North Antrim MP, totalled £139,565.
SDLP MPs Eddie McGrady and Alasdair McDonnell both accrued expenses of £156,000.SDLP MPs Eddie McGrady and Alasdair McDonnell both accrued expenses of £156,000.
Extra tripsExtra trips
Their party leader, Mark Durkan the Foyle MP spent, £149,364 and his constituency neighbour Gregory Campbell of the DUP spent a total of £136, 213.Their party leader, Mark Durkan the Foyle MP spent, £149,364 and his constituency neighbour Gregory Campbell of the DUP spent a total of £136, 213.
The Ulster Unionists sole Westminster representative Lady Sylvia Hermon spent £134,004.The Ulster Unionists sole Westminster representative Lady Sylvia Hermon spent £134,004.
The lowest spenders amongst Northern Ireland MPs were Peter and Iris Robinson. The MP for East Belfast spent £128,000 and his wife, the MP for Strangford, accrued travel staffing and office costs of £125,000.The lowest spenders amongst Northern Ireland MPs were Peter and Iris Robinson. The MP for East Belfast spent £128,000 and his wife, the MP for Strangford, accrued travel staffing and office costs of £125,000.
A DUP spokesman said Mr Dodds regularly attended Westminster and as a result his expenses would be higher than others.A DUP spokesman said Mr Dodds regularly attended Westminster and as a result his expenses would be higher than others.
The spokesman added that during this time the North Belfast MP was also the party's chief whip at Westminster which meant he had to make extra trips to London.The spokesman added that during this time the North Belfast MP was also the party's chief whip at Westminster which meant he had to make extra trips to London.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life will start a review into MPs' allowances as soon as possible amid public anger at the amount claimed by MPs and ministers.The Committee on Standards in Public Life will start a review into MPs' allowances as soon as possible amid public anger at the amount claimed by MPs and ministers.