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Gillan 'sorry' for dog food claim | Gillan 'sorry' for dog food claim |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan has apologised and has promised to pay back £4.47 claimed for dog food as part of her parliamentary expenses. | The shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan has apologised and has promised to pay back £4.47 claimed for dog food as part of her parliamentary expenses. |
The Tory MP for Chesham and Amersham told the BBC News Channel she was "absolutely mortified" by the claim. | The Tory MP for Chesham and Amersham told the BBC News Channel she was "absolutely mortified" by the claim. |
Ms Gillan was one of the Conservatives named by the Daily Telegraph in the controversy over MP's expenses. | Ms Gillan was one of the Conservatives named by the Daily Telegraph in the controversy over MP's expenses. |
Conservative leader, David Cameron said the disclosures marked another bad day for Parliament. | Conservative leader, David Cameron said the disclosures marked another bad day for Parliament. |
Ms Gillan, who has been Shadow Welsh Secretary since December 2005, said the expense claim for dog food was a mistake and that both of her dogs had since died. | Ms Gillan, who has been Shadow Welsh Secretary since December 2005, said the expense claim for dog food was a mistake and that both of her dogs had since died. |
"I mistakenly submitted a food bill which contained items for which I did not intend to claim back. I am sorry for this and will immediately repay the amount," she said in a statement issued on Monday. | "I mistakenly submitted a food bill which contained items for which I did not intend to claim back. I am sorry for this and will immediately repay the amount," she said in a statement issued on Monday. |
Cheryl Gillan said both of her dogs, including Curby, have died | Cheryl Gillan said both of her dogs, including Curby, have died |
The fees office also reduced two claims for gas bills because statements showed Ms Gillan's account was in credit. | The fees office also reduced two claims for gas bills because statements showed Ms Gillan's account was in credit. |
She said this was because the gas company sent two bills containing duplicate information for a period of three months. | She said this was because the gas company sent two bills containing duplicate information for a period of three months. |
"This was identified by the fees office so the payment to me under the ACA (Additional Cost Allowance) was reduced accordingly." | "This was identified by the fees office so the payment to me under the ACA (Additional Cost Allowance) was reduced accordingly." |
Plans to set up an independent auditing body for claims are expected to be outlined on Monday, with Commons Speaker Michael Martin due to give a statement at 1530 BST. | Plans to set up an independent auditing body for claims are expected to be outlined on Monday, with Commons Speaker Michael Martin due to give a statement at 1530 BST. |
The new body would be entirely independent and cost about £600,000 a year to run. | The new body would be entirely independent and cost about £600,000 a year to run. |
Millions of receipts backing up all MPs' expenses claims under the second homes allowance were due to be published in July after a long Freedom of Information campaign. | Millions of receipts backing up all MPs' expenses claims under the second homes allowance were due to be published in July after a long Freedom of Information campaign. |
But details have been leaked to the Telegraph - which has been publishing selected excerpts over the last few days. | But details have been leaked to the Telegraph - which has been publishing selected excerpts over the last few days. |
Gordon Brown has said "mistakes" were made by MPs in their use of Commons expenses. | Gordon Brown has said "mistakes" were made by MPs in their use of Commons expenses. |
The prime minister apologised on behalf of all political parties for some of the claims made and said public trust must be restored "immediately". | The prime minister apologised on behalf of all political parties for some of the claims made and said public trust must be restored "immediately". |
Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary leader added his voice to concerns. | Plaid Cymru's Parliamentary leader added his voice to concerns. |
Elfyn Llwyd MP told BBC Radio Cymru's Manylu programme it was "shameful" and said there were no excuses. | Elfyn Llwyd MP told BBC Radio Cymru's Manylu programme it was "shameful" and said there were no excuses. |
"What surprised me is that so much of it is going on," he said. | "What surprised me is that so much of it is going on," he said. |
"We were aware of some stories about some individuals but dear me, it appears that every other one is at it. We have to re-examine the system from top to bottom." | "We were aware of some stories about some individuals but dear me, it appears that every other one is at it. We have to re-examine the system from top to bottom." |
Asked whether the public could be confident that members of Plaid Cymru were spotless on this subject, he said: "Yes, you have my word on that." |