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MPs to repay swimming pool claims | MPs to repay swimming pool claims |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Three Tory MPs have agreed to pay back House of Commons expenses claimed for swimming pool maintenance after details were revealed in the Daily Telegraph. | Three Tory MPs have agreed to pay back House of Commons expenses claimed for swimming pool maintenance after details were revealed in the Daily Telegraph. |
The newspaper's report, based on leaked receipts, says other MPs claimed for the cost of clearing a moat, buying horse manure and mowing paddocks. | The newspaper's report, based on leaked receipts, says other MPs claimed for the cost of clearing a moat, buying horse manure and mowing paddocks. |
Tory leader David Cameron is said to be considering disciplinary action. | Tory leader David Cameron is said to be considering disciplinary action. |
The latest allegations come as one MP has prepared a motion of no confidence in Commons Speaker Michael Martin. | The latest allegations come as one MP has prepared a motion of no confidence in Commons Speaker Michael Martin. |
The Telegraph has already published expenses claims made by Labour and Tory frontbenchers, including those for a lawnmower, dog food and changing light bulbs. | The Telegraph has already published expenses claims made by Labour and Tory frontbenchers, including those for a lawnmower, dog food and changing light bulbs. |
'Angry' | 'Angry' |
The latest stories relate mainly to backbench Conservative MPs. | The latest stories relate mainly to backbench Conservative MPs. |
Mr Cameron said: "I am angry about what has happened. It is out of order. Some of this is an abuse of taxpayers' money, and I am going to deal with it." | Mr Cameron said: "I am angry about what has happened. It is out of order. Some of this is an abuse of taxpayers' money, and I am going to deal with it." |
The Conservative leader has brought forward the shadow cabinet meeting to deal with the revelations, with the parliamentary party due to discuss them later. | The Conservative leader has brought forward the shadow cabinet meeting to deal with the revelations, with the parliamentary party due to discuss them later. |
Asked whether any MPs should resign over their expenses, Mr Cameron said: "If there is a totally unjustifiable case then there may be a case for action... | Asked whether any MPs should resign over their expenses, Mr Cameron said: "If there is a totally unjustifiable case then there may be a case for action... |
The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP Speaker angry over expenses leak Boycott big parties, says Tebbit Peer turns fire on BBC presenter | The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims Stewart Jackson, Conservative MP Speaker angry over expenses leak Boycott big parties, says Tebbit Peer turns fire on BBC presenter |
"I think the first step is for everyone to get out there and explain why they did what they did." | "I think the first step is for everyone to get out there and explain why they did what they did." |
One of the options thought to be under consideration is that MPs pay back any claim judged to be "excessive" - or face losing the party whip. | One of the options thought to be under consideration is that MPs pay back any claim judged to be "excessive" - or face losing the party whip. |
Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson has confirmed the Telegraph's report that he had made a claim of £304.10 for the upkeep of a swimming pool. | Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson has confirmed the Telegraph's report that he had made a claim of £304.10 for the upkeep of a swimming pool. |
But he added: "The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims. I take care of the pool myself. I believe this represents 'value for money' for the taxpayer." | But he added: "The pool came with the house and I needed to know how to run it. Once I was shown that one time, there were no more claims. I take care of the pool myself. I believe this represents 'value for money' for the taxpayer." |
Mr Jackson later agreed to pay back the money. | Mr Jackson later agreed to pay back the money. |
Former shadow defence secretary Michael Ancram claimed almost £100 for the repair of a swimming pool boiler. The Devizes MP said he had made a "genuine mistake" and would repay the money. | Former shadow defence secretary Michael Ancram claimed almost £100 for the repair of a swimming pool boiler. The Devizes MP said he had made a "genuine mistake" and would repay the money. |
The newspaper also said North East Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, had claimed £1,471 for garden and swimming pool costs. He has agreed to repay the swimming pool expenses. | The newspaper also said North East Hampshire MP James Arbuthnot, chairman of the Commons defence select committee, had claimed £1,471 for garden and swimming pool costs. He has agreed to repay the swimming pool expenses. |
Meanwhile, the Telegraph says former cabinet minister Douglas Hogg, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, submitted claims for more than £2,000 to clear a moat around his estate and £14,500 for a housekeeper. | Meanwhile, the Telegraph says former cabinet minister Douglas Hogg, MP for Sleaford and North Hykeham, submitted claims for more than £2,000 to clear a moat around his estate and £14,500 for a housekeeper. |
Gardening | Gardening |
But he told the BBC that, while he had claimed for a housekeeper, he had never asked to be reimbursed for the cost of cleaning the moat - it had simply been mentioned in details of expenditure on his house. | But he told the BBC that, while he had claimed for a housekeeper, he had never asked to be reimbursed for the cost of cleaning the moat - it had simply been mentioned in details of expenditure on his house. |
Mr Hogg said all of his claims had been made with the prior agreement of the Commons fees office. | Mr Hogg said all of his claims had been made with the prior agreement of the Commons fees office. |
Deputy Commons Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst, Tory MP for Saffron Walden, is reported to have claimed £142,000 on his country house, and £12,000 for gardening bills over five years. | Deputy Commons Speaker Sir Alan Haselhurst, Tory MP for Saffron Walden, is reported to have claimed £142,000 on his country house, and £12,000 for gardening bills over five years. |
He told the BBC he had claimed for £142,000 and had moved his second home allowance from London to his constituency when he became deputy speaker and believed the claim was within the rules. | He told the BBC he had claimed for £142,000 and had moved his second home allowance from London to his constituency when he became deputy speaker and believed the claim was within the rules. |
The Telegraph says senior backbencher Sir Michael Spicer claimed more than £7,000 for his garden, including hedge-cutting for a "helipad". He told the newspaper that was a family joke. | The Telegraph says senior backbencher Sir Michael Spicer claimed more than £7,000 for his garden, including hedge-cutting for a "helipad". He told the newspaper that was a family joke. |
HAVE YOUR SAYThey chose their 'job' and no one is forcing them to do it. Pay them a wage and that's it. That's how the rest of us work. Michael, London Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYThey chose their 'job' and no one is forcing them to do it. Pay them a wage and that's it. That's how the rest of us work. Michael, London Send us your comments |
The Telegraph reports thaty David Heathcoat-Amory, Tory MP for Wells, claimed more than £380 for horse manure for his garden. | The Telegraph reports thaty David Heathcoat-Amory, Tory MP for Wells, claimed more than £380 for horse manure for his garden. |
It adds that former shadow home secretary David Davis claimed more than £2,000 on mowing and rolling his paddocks and £5,700 for a portico for his house in Yorkshire. | It adds that former shadow home secretary David Davis claimed more than £2,000 on mowing and rolling his paddocks and £5,700 for a portico for his house in Yorkshire. |
Mr Davis said he had not done anything wrong, but agreed the rules needed to be changed. | |
Meanwhile, Labour MP for Luton South Margaret Moran has issued a statement saying she will repay £22,500 used to treat dry rot at a property 100 miles from her constituency. | Meanwhile, Labour MP for Luton South Margaret Moran has issued a statement saying she will repay £22,500 used to treat dry rot at a property 100 miles from her constituency. |
She previously said the Southampton house was necessary for a "proper family life" because her partner had worked there for 20 years. | She previously said the Southampton house was necessary for a "proper family life" because her partner had worked there for 20 years. |
On Monday Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on behalf of all political parties for MPs' expenses revelations over recent days, while Mr Cameron urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system. | On Monday Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on behalf of all political parties for MPs' expenses revelations over recent days, while Mr Cameron urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system. |
'Extremely upset' | 'Extremely upset' |
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it must not be a "hollow apology" and must be followed by real change. | Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said it must not be a "hollow apology" and must be followed by real change. |
Tory MP Douglas Carswell is seeking support for a motion of no confidence in the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, over the way he has handled the expenses furore. | Tory MP Douglas Carswell is seeking support for a motion of no confidence in the Speaker of the House of Commons, Michael Martin, over the way he has handled the expenses furore. |
Mr Carswell said he wanted the backing of six MPs before tabling his motion next week. | Mr Carswell said he wanted the backing of six MPs before tabling his motion next week. |
On Monday, Mr Martin took part in angry exchanges with Labour's Kate Hoey and Lib Dem Norman Baker, who have been critical of his actions. | On Monday, Mr Martin took part in angry exchanges with Labour's Kate Hoey and Lib Dem Norman Baker, who have been critical of his actions. |
He accused them of speaking to the press and leaving others to deal with the consequences. | He accused them of speaking to the press and leaving others to deal with the consequences. |
But Mr Baker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Mr Martin, in "attacking" MPs, "took off his umpire's hat and put on a player's hat". | But Mr Baker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Mr Martin, in "attacking" MPs, "took off his umpire's hat and put on a player's hat". |
On the same programme, former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit urged voters not to back any of the major political parties in next month's European elections, to show how "extremely upset" they are over the expenses furore. | On the same programme, former Conservative chairman Lord Tebbit urged voters not to back any of the major political parties in next month's European elections, to show how "extremely upset" they are over the expenses furore. |
The latest opinion poll, by Populus for The Times, suggests falls in support of 4% in both Labour and Conservative support. | The latest opinion poll, by Populus for The Times, suggests falls in support of 4% in both Labour and Conservative support. |
Conducted by telephone over the weekend, it puts the Conservatives on 39% and Labour on 26%. The Lib Dems were up 4% to 22% and others up 4% to 13%. | Conducted by telephone over the weekend, it puts the Conservatives on 39% and Labour on 26%. The Lib Dems were up 4% to 22% and others up 4% to 13%. |
A ROUND-UP OF OPINION ON THE EXPENSES ROW | A ROUND-UP OF OPINION ON THE EXPENSES ROW |
Columnists, commentators and bloggers express their opinions on the MPs' expenses row and speculate on what is in store for the Speaker Michael Martin. | Columnists, commentators and bloggers express their opinions on the MPs' expenses row and speculate on what is in store for the Speaker Michael Martin. |
Simon Carr in the Independent blog wonders why the Speaker got so angry in Parliament: | Simon Carr in the Independent blog wonders why the Speaker got so angry in Parliament: |
Maybe he's most angry with himself. No, stupid idea. But he is the very man responsible. It's him. No other individual could have stopped the abuses, ordered the Fees Office to enforce the rules. He could have. He alone could have ordered the laundry washed in private and left office with a reformed expenses culture behind him. | Maybe he's most angry with himself. No, stupid idea. But he is the very man responsible. It's him. No other individual could have stopped the abuses, ordered the Fees Office to enforce the rules. He could have. He alone could have ordered the laundry washed in private and left office with a reformed expenses culture behind him. |
In the Daily Mail, Peter Oborne is calling for the Speaker's resignation : | In the Daily Mail, Peter Oborne is calling for the Speaker's resignation : |
The brutal truth is that British democracy cannot begin to recover from the catastrophic damage of the past few days until Michael Martin quits. | The brutal truth is that British democracy cannot begin to recover from the catastrophic damage of the past few days until Michael Martin quits. |
In the Telegraph, MEP Daniel Hannan says he has been campaigning to replace the Speaker: | In the Telegraph, MEP Daniel Hannan says he has been campaigning to replace the Speaker: |
Surely - surely - the House of Commons cannot go on tolerating this greedy, partial, petulant, chippy, peevish, bellicose, socialist dunderhead. | Surely - surely - the House of Commons cannot go on tolerating this greedy, partial, petulant, chippy, peevish, bellicose, socialist dunderhead. |
Sir John Baker, the ex-chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body in the Guardian says the expenses row could have been predicted : | Sir John Baker, the ex-chairman of the Senior Salaries Review Body in the Guardian says the expenses row could have been predicted : |
At the heart of all this lies decades of political cowardice, where governments and MPs have conspired to repress MPs' basic pay, the visible part of their remuneration, in the belief that voters will never understand large pay increases for MPs and to give nods and winks to making good the pay deficit by a soft and exploitable - and until now - largely invisible expenses regime. | At the heart of all this lies decades of political cowardice, where governments and MPs have conspired to repress MPs' basic pay, the visible part of their remuneration, in the belief that voters will never understand large pay increases for MPs and to give nods and winks to making good the pay deficit by a soft and exploitable - and until now - largely invisible expenses regime. |
The Times leader column sets out how MPs pay should be changed , but asserts they should keep a good salary: | The Times leader column sets out how MPs pay should be changed , but asserts they should keep a good salary: |
MPs are doing an important job and should be paid enough that high-quality people without independent means are financially able to do it. Being an MP is a public service and should not be a way to become rich. But nor should MPs earn only an average wage. Being an MP ought surely to pay as much as a GP or a secondary school head teacher. | MPs are doing an important job and should be paid enough that high-quality people without independent means are financially able to do it. Being an MP is a public service and should not be a way to become rich. But nor should MPs earn only an average wage. Being an MP ought surely to pay as much as a GP or a secondary school head teacher. |
Philip Stephens in the Financial Times thinks that the expenses story has more to do with media frenzy than sincere outrage: | Philip Stephens in the Financial Times thinks that the expenses story has more to do with media frenzy than sincere outrage: |
Parliament has been fatally discredited. So anyone listening to the frenzied commentary of recent days might have concluded. What nonsense. | Parliament has been fatally discredited. So anyone listening to the frenzied commentary of recent days might have concluded. What nonsense. |
In the Daily Mail, Peter Hitchens' blog suggests the expenses row is caused by the increase of career politicians: | In the Daily Mail, Peter Hitchens' blog suggests the expenses row is caused by the increase of career politicians: |
Someone in his fifties who's raised a family, who's been a shop steward, or run his own engineering factory, or fought in a tank battle, or prosecuted murderers in front of a jury is not going to be terribly impressed or scared by the whips. But someone barely out of his or her teens who's been nothing more than another MP's dogsbody, or a 'special adviser,' or a local government official, is likely to be a pushover. He's an employee of the executive, anxious to please. And, like all employees who have sold a large chunk of his integrity in return for a quiet life, he'll expect something back for it. | Someone in his fifties who's raised a family, who's been a shop steward, or run his own engineering factory, or fought in a tank battle, or prosecuted murderers in front of a jury is not going to be terribly impressed or scared by the whips. But someone barely out of his or her teens who's been nothing more than another MP's dogsbody, or a 'special adviser,' or a local government official, is likely to be a pushover. He's an employee of the executive, anxious to please. And, like all employees who have sold a large chunk of his integrity in return for a quiet life, he'll expect something back for it. |
Amongst the political bloggers, Justin in Chicken Yoghurt suggests that the MPs needed extra money to get away from their constituents: | Amongst the political bloggers, Justin in Chicken Yoghurt suggests that the MPs needed extra money to get away from their constituents: |
New Labour MPs, with their home improvements and their little property empires use the expenses system to get away from the working classes as fast as they possibly can. Tory MPs with their moats and country homes and porticoes (whatever the hell they are) have already got away from the working classes as fast as they possibly could and now use their expenses to shore up the defences. | New Labour MPs, with their home improvements and their little property empires use the expenses system to get away from the working classes as fast as they possibly can. Tory MPs with their moats and country homes and porticoes (whatever the hell they are) have already got away from the working classes as fast as they possibly could and now use their expenses to shore up the defences. |
Political blogger Dizzy Thinks asks what this all means for David Cameron: | Political blogger Dizzy Thinks asks what this all means for David Cameron: |
The key here is going to be how ruthless Cameron is with those on his Front bench team .This does of course assume that Cameron knows there are no elephant traps about the order of his own house waiting to surface. | The key here is going to be how ruthless Cameron is with those on his Front bench team .This does of course assume that Cameron knows there are no elephant traps about the order of his own house waiting to surface. |