This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8062447.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MP apologises for expenses rant | MP apologises for expenses rant |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A Devon MP embroiled in a row about his expenses has "unreservedly apologised" for saying the public should not have been allowed to see what he claimed. | A Devon MP embroiled in a row about his expenses has "unreservedly apologised" for saying the public should not have been allowed to see what he claimed. |
| Totnes Conservative MP Anthony Steen was alleged by the Daily Telegraph to have claimed more than £87,000 over four years for his country home. | Totnes Conservative MP Anthony Steen was alleged by the Daily Telegraph to have claimed more than £87,000 over four years for his country home. |
| On Radio 4's The World At One, he said the public had no right to interfere with his private life. | On Radio 4's The World At One, he said the public had no right to interfere with his private life. |
| He later said he was "deeply upset" during the interview and over-reacted. | He later said he was "deeply upset" during the interview and over-reacted. |
| But shadow foreign secretary William Hague described Mr Steen's comments as "ridiculous". | |
| During the interview, former barrister Mr Steen, 69, claimed ministers had "mucked up the system" by introducing the Freedom of Information Act. | During the interview, former barrister Mr Steen, 69, claimed ministers had "mucked up the system" by introducing the Freedom of Information Act. |
| He also suggested his critics were "jealous" because he lived in a large house that resembled Royal residence Balmoral, and had trees in the grounds that needed lopping. | He also suggested his critics were "jealous" because he lived in a large house that resembled Royal residence Balmoral, and had trees in the grounds that needed lopping. |
| He said in the interview: "What right does the public have to interfere with my private life? None." | He said in the interview: "What right does the public have to interfere with my private life? None." |
| However, in a statement on Thursday, he said he was apologising for his comments which were recorded on Wednesday night because he had been "deeply upset with the situation which resulted in me overreacting". | However, in a statement on Thursday, he said he was apologising for his comments which were recorded on Wednesday night because he had been "deeply upset with the situation which resulted in me overreacting". |
| He said: "I am sorry that in the heat of the moment I said inappropriate things that weren't as measured as I would have liked about the Freedom of Information Act, which I entirely support." | He said: "I am sorry that in the heat of the moment I said inappropriate things that weren't as measured as I would have liked about the Freedom of Information Act, which I entirely support." |
| Mr Steen claimed for work on his constituency home | Mr Steen claimed for work on his constituency home |
| Mr Steen has been an MP in south Devon since 1983, first for South Hams and then for Totnes when the seat was created in 1997. | Mr Steen has been an MP in south Devon since 1983, first for South Hams and then for Totnes when the seat was created in 1997. |
| He designated his constituency property as his second home and then claimed £87,729 over four years, according to the Daily Telegraph. | He designated his constituency property as his second home and then claimed £87,729 over four years, according to the Daily Telegraph. |
| The paper said leaked details showed £597.14 was claimed for lights, £120 was claimed for fencing, a £459 visit by a woodland consultant who looked into protection from rabbits, and £1,755.89 for fixing the water supply from the spring and borehole. | The paper said leaked details showed £597.14 was claimed for lights, £120 was claimed for fencing, a £459 visit by a woodland consultant who looked into protection from rabbits, and £1,755.89 for fixing the water supply from the spring and borehole. |
| Scaffolding hire for chimney repairs and outside decoration, repairing a stone wall, sowing grass and "removing boulders" were also claimed for. | Scaffolding hire for chimney repairs and outside decoration, repairing a stone wall, sowing grass and "removing boulders" were also claimed for. |
| Meanwhile, two other Devon MPs have published details of their expenses on their websites. | Meanwhile, two other Devon MPs have published details of their expenses on their websites. |
| Conservative Devon South West MP Gary Streeter has published details of his second home expenses. | Conservative Devon South West MP Gary Streeter has published details of his second home expenses. |
| Mr Streeter said his constituency home expenses were all claimed "within the letter and spirit of the rules". | Mr Streeter said his constituency home expenses were all claimed "within the letter and spirit of the rules". |
| Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport, said she had revealed some of her claims because she knew people in her constituency were "angry and confused". | Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport, said she had revealed some of her claims because she knew people in her constituency were "angry and confused". |