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Minister in £25k security claim | Minister in £25k security claim |
(20 minutes later) | |
Tourism minister Barbara Follett claimed more than £25,000 for security patrols at her London home after she was mugged, the Daily Telegraph claims. | Tourism minister Barbara Follett claimed more than £25,000 for security patrols at her London home after she was mugged, the Daily Telegraph claims. |
The wife of author Ken Follett, seen as one of Parliament's richest MPs, said the claims over a four year period had been made within the rules. | The wife of author Ken Follett, seen as one of Parliament's richest MPs, said the claims over a four year period had been made within the rules. |
It follows a day of revelations, which saw ministers defending claims saying all were made with Commons approval. | It follows a day of revelations, which saw ministers defending claims saying all were made with Commons approval. |
The police have been asked to probe how the details were leaked to the paper. | The police have been asked to probe how the details were leaked to the paper. |
In a further disclosure, the Telegraph says immigration minister Phil Woolas claimed for nappies and women's clothing on his expenses, an allegation he vehemently denies. | |
He says they were listed on a receipt for food which he submitted, but he did not receive any money for them. | |
Mr Woolas called the Telegraph's reporting "absolutely disgusting" and said they were handling stolen property and making false allegations against ministers. | |
He said he believed the newspaper's claims might be "actionable" and he was seeking legal advice. | |
Needlepoint rug | Needlepoint rug |
Ms Follett's total bill for security patrols between 2004 and 2008 was £25,411.64, the paper said. | |
She told the BBC: "I claimed it, it's within the rules and I have no comment to make". | She told the BBC: "I claimed it, it's within the rules and I have no comment to make". |
She also claimed £528.75 for a Chinese needlepoint rug to be repaired and cleaned, but was only paid back £300 after it was deemed excessive, the Telegraph said. | She also claimed £528.75 for a Chinese needlepoint rug to be repaired and cleaned, but was only paid back £300 after it was deemed excessive, the Telegraph said. |
She told the newspaper: "As all of [my claims], bar one, have been accepted and cleared by the House of Commons Fees Office under the rules laid out in the Green Book, I have no further comment to make on them. | She told the newspaper: "As all of [my claims], bar one, have been accepted and cleared by the House of Commons Fees Office under the rules laid out in the Green Book, I have no further comment to make on them. |
"The item not accepted by the Fees Office was claimed in error and is, to the best of my knowledge, one of the only two occasions in the last 12 years when my expenses claims have been queried by them." | "The item not accepted by the Fees Office was claimed in error and is, to the best of my knowledge, one of the only two occasions in the last 12 years when my expenses claims have been queried by them." |
Other expense claims revealed earlier include a £6,500 claim by Gordon Brown to pay his brother for a cleaner. Downing Street has said there was "nothing wrong" with the claim. | Other expense claims revealed earlier include a £6,500 claim by Gordon Brown to pay his brother for a cleaner. Downing Street has said there was "nothing wrong" with the claim. |
And Lord Mandelson, who claimed £2,850 for his home, before quitting as an MP and selling it for a large profit, said the claims were for essential repairs. | And Lord Mandelson, who claimed £2,850 for his home, before quitting as an MP and selling it for a large profit, said the claims were for essential repairs. |