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MP 'claimed for church donation' MP 'claimed for church donation'
(about 3 hours later)
Labour MP Frank Cook claimed on expenses for a £5 church donation he made at a Battle of Britain memorial service, the Sunday Telegraph reports.Labour MP Frank Cook claimed on expenses for a £5 church donation he made at a Battle of Britain memorial service, the Sunday Telegraph reports.
The MP for Stockton-on-Tees submitted the 2006 claim with a handwritten note, but it was later rejected by the Commons Fees Office, the paper says.The MP for Stockton-on-Tees submitted the 2006 claim with a handwritten note, but it was later rejected by the Commons Fees Office, the paper says.
Mr Cook said he did not recall the claim and described it as "a mistake".Mr Cook said he did not recall the claim and described it as "a mistake".
The news came as David Miliband called for a "new approach to politics" in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal.The news came as David Miliband called for a "new approach to politics" in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal.
In its latest expenses revelations, the Sunday Telegraph says the handwritten note attached to Mr Cook's donation claim read: "Battle of Britain church service, Sunday 17.09.06. £5 contribution to offertory on behalf of Frank Cook MP."In its latest expenses revelations, the Sunday Telegraph says the handwritten note attached to Mr Cook's donation claim read: "Battle of Britain church service, Sunday 17.09.06. £5 contribution to offertory on behalf of Frank Cook MP."
'No other claims''No other claims'
But Mr Cook told the BBC he could not recall putting in the claim and had no record of it.But Mr Cook told the BBC he could not recall putting in the claim and had no record of it.
"I'm assuming that the Telegraph report is accurate. I'm sorry and it was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened," he said."I'm assuming that the Telegraph report is accurate. I'm sorry and it was a mistake. It shouldn't have happened," he said.
Personally I don't care what system we have so long as it is clear, open and credible with the public - and we have to get it done quickly David MilibandForeign SecretaryPersonally I don't care what system we have so long as it is clear, open and credible with the public - and we have to get it done quickly David MilibandForeign Secretary
"In the 26-and-a-half years I've been an MP I've been to many memorial and funeral services and I haven't claimed for any other donations or wreaths.""In the 26-and-a-half years I've been an MP I've been to many memorial and funeral services and I haven't claimed for any other donations or wreaths."
The Telegraph also reports on further claims made by other MPs, including reimbursement for bathmats and carpets bought in India.The Telegraph also reports on further claims made by other MPs, including reimbursement for bathmats and carpets bought in India.
The paper also features an ICM poll which suggests more people intend to vote Liberal Democrat than Labour in the next general election.The paper also features an ICM poll which suggests more people intend to vote Liberal Democrat than Labour in the next general election.
The survey put Gordon Brown's party in third place for the first time since 1987 on just 22% - three points behind the Lib Dems and 18 behind the Conservatives.The survey put Gordon Brown's party in third place for the first time since 1987 on just 22% - three points behind the Lib Dems and 18 behind the Conservatives.
'In a mess''In a mess'
In response to public anger over MPs expenses, Mr Miliband has called for a "new approach to politics".In response to public anger over MPs expenses, Mr Miliband has called for a "new approach to politics".
The Foreign Secretary wrote in the News of the World that he admitted British politics was "in a mess" and needed shaking up.The Foreign Secretary wrote in the News of the World that he admitted British politics was "in a mess" and needed shaking up.
An elected House of Lords and greater powers for local communities were essential to make politics "more accountable, more in touch, less elitist", he said.An elected House of Lords and greater powers for local communities were essential to make politics "more accountable, more in touch, less elitist", he said.
"'Never waste a crisis' is a good guide to getting out of a mess. And British politics has got into a mess," he wrote."'Never waste a crisis' is a good guide to getting out of a mess. And British politics has got into a mess," he wrote.
"At just the time when our problems need a new approach to politics, the expenses scandal has given people good reason to give up on politics altogether.""At just the time when our problems need a new approach to politics, the expenses scandal has given people good reason to give up on politics altogether."
But it was crucial to turn the anger into real change, he said.But it was crucial to turn the anger into real change, he said.
"We have to start with expenses. Personally I don't care what system we have so long as it is clear, open and credible with the public - and we have to get it done quickly."We have to start with expenses. Personally I don't care what system we have so long as it is clear, open and credible with the public - and we have to get it done quickly.
Darling rebukedDarling rebuked
"But we can't stop there. Some people have said that constitutional reform is a 'middle-class issue', whatever that is. That's rubbish."But we can't stop there. Some people have said that constitutional reform is a 'middle-class issue', whatever that is. That's rubbish.
"We can't tackle the bread-and-butter issues unless our politics is more accountable, more in touch, less elitist.""We can't tackle the bread-and-butter issues unless our politics is more accountable, more in touch, less elitist."
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat economics spokesman Vince Cable has called for Chancellor Alistair Darling to be sacked over his expense claims.Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat economics spokesman Vince Cable has called for Chancellor Alistair Darling to be sacked over his expense claims.
His call follow reports Mr Darling "flipped" his second home and claimed for tax advice on expenses.His call follow reports Mr Darling "flipped" his second home and claimed for tax advice on expenses.
Mr Cable wrote in the Mail on Sunday: "He doesn't explain. He doesn't apologise. He just blames his colleagues for not stopping him. His moral authority has vanished. He must go, now."Mr Cable wrote in the Mail on Sunday: "He doesn't explain. He doesn't apologise. He just blames his colleagues for not stopping him. His moral authority has vanished. He must go, now."
Separately, ex-Tory party chairman Chris Patten dismissed popularism as an antidote to the expenses scandal.
Speaking at the Hay Festival of Literature, he said: "I do not think that the solution to the problems of the country is to have 600 Esther Rantzens."
TV presenter Ms Rantzen has announced plans to stand as an independent candidate at the next general election.