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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Cameron in SF expenses threat | Cameron in SF expenses threat |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The Conservative leader David Cameron has suggested his party would outlaw expenses for Sinn Fein MPs if they refused to attend Westminster. | The Conservative leader David Cameron has suggested his party would outlaw expenses for Sinn Fein MPs if they refused to attend Westminster. |
| Mr Cameron, made the comments in an article in Thursday's Belfast Telegraph. | Mr Cameron, made the comments in an article in Thursday's Belfast Telegraph. |
| He said it would be inconceivable that a Conservative majority would vote for taxpayer's money to continue funding absentee MPs. | He said it would be inconceivable that a Conservative majority would vote for taxpayer's money to continue funding absentee MPs. |
| Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but are entitled to allowances. | Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but are entitled to allowances. |
| A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "David Cameron would be better off dealing with the stinking corruption within his own party than attempting to undermine the democratic rights of people in this part of Ireland." | A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "David Cameron would be better off dealing with the stinking corruption within his own party than attempting to undermine the democratic rights of people in this part of Ireland." |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| In his article, Mr Cameron also pointed out he had already banned some of the worst practices, not least MPs flipping their second home with their main home to avoid capital gains tax. | In his article, Mr Cameron also pointed out he had already banned some of the worst practices, not least MPs flipping their second home with their main home to avoid capital gains tax. |
| He also pledged to ban double jobbing. | He also pledged to ban double jobbing. |
| Mr Cameron spoke about expenses as he was electioneering in Northern Ireland | Mr Cameron spoke about expenses as he was electioneering in Northern Ireland |
| In his own statement the DUP leader Peter Robinson, who is an MP as well as first minister and MLA, said he too was determined to end double jobbing. | In his own statement the DUP leader Peter Robinson, who is an MP as well as first minister and MLA, said he too was determined to end double jobbing. |
| He has already outlined some details of this policy and promised to provide further information in a speech on Thursday evening. | He has already outlined some details of this policy and promised to provide further information in a speech on Thursday evening. |
| Mr Cameron is in Northern Ireland to meet the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey and join the campaign for the European election in Portadown and Ballymena. | Mr Cameron is in Northern Ireland to meet the Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey and join the campaign for the European election in Portadown and Ballymena. |
| His party and the Ulster Unionists are fighting the poll on a joint ticket. | His party and the Ulster Unionists are fighting the poll on a joint ticket. |
| But the decision of the Ulster Unionists' sole MP Lady Hermon to go public on her refusal to stand under a Tory banner has caused division. | But the decision of the Ulster Unionists' sole MP Lady Hermon to go public on her refusal to stand under a Tory banner has caused division. |
| The Unionist and Conservative candidate Jim Nicholson has said he will publish his expenses during the next term of the European Parliament. | The Unionist and Conservative candidate Jim Nicholson has said he will publish his expenses during the next term of the European Parliament. |
| Bairbre de Brun, Sinn Fein Europe candidate, has announced she is going to publish her expenses on her website on Thursday. | |
| Meanwhile, TUV candidate Jim Allister said he had received statements of support from two Conservative MEPs - Dan Hannon and Roger Helmer. | Meanwhile, TUV candidate Jim Allister said he had received statements of support from two Conservative MEPs - Dan Hannon and Roger Helmer. |
| He also said that he enjoys a "close working relationship" with several Euro-sceptic Conservative MEPs. | He also said that he enjoys a "close working relationship" with several Euro-sceptic Conservative MEPs. |
| Mr Allister said he already posts his expenses on his website. | Mr Allister said he already posts his expenses on his website. |