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MP 'claimed for church donation' MP 'claimed for church donation'
(about 1 hour 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. A Labour backbencher has apologised for submitting an expenses claim for a £5 donation he made at a church service commemorating the Battle of Britain.
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. Frank Cook made the offering in his Stockton North constituency in 2006 and submitted the claim with a handwritten note, the Sunday Telegraph reports.
Mr Cook said he did not recall the claim and described it as "a mistake". Mr Cook said he did not recall the claim - rejected by the Commons Fees Office - and that it was "a mistake".
News of that claim comes as party leaders make more calls to reform the expenses system for MPs. It comes as party leaders make more calls to reform the MP expenses system.
The government is considering introducing a legally-binding code of conduct for MPs that would cover minimum standards of service to constituents.The government is considering introducing a legally-binding code of conduct for MPs that would cover minimum standards of service to constituents.
Tory leader David Cameron has given his backing to Liberal Democrat calls for powers to allow voters force out MPs who break Commons rules.Tory leader David Cameron has given his backing to Liberal Democrat calls for powers to allow voters force out MPs who break Commons rules.
Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has suggested a "recall" mechanism that would be triggered if 5% of constituents signed a petition demanding a by-election. It would only apply to someone found guilty of wrongdoing.Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has suggested a "recall" mechanism that would be triggered if 5% of constituents signed a petition demanding a by-election. It would only apply to someone found guilty of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for a "new approach to politics" in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal.Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Miliband has called for a "new approach to politics" in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal.
'No other claims''No other claims'
In its latest expenses story, 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 story, 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."
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.
David Cameron has also been explaining his second home claim.David Cameron has also been explaining his second home claim.
The Mail on Sunday reports he paid off the remaining £75,000 of a mortgage on his London home using his own money, shortly after taking out a £350,000 mortgage on his constituency home in 2001.The Mail on Sunday reports he paid off the remaining £75,000 of a mortgage on his London home using his own money, shortly after taking out a £350,000 mortgage on his constituency home in 2001.
He used the second homes allowance to pay the interest on the new mortgage. Mr Cameron did not break any rules and his office said the taxpayer had not lost any money.He used the second homes allowance to pay the interest on the new mortgage. Mr Cameron did not break any rules and his office said the taxpayer had not lost any money.
The Telegraph also features an ICM poll which suggests more people intend to vote Liberal Democrat than Labour in the next general election.The Telegraph 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 British politics was "in a mess" and needed shaking up.The foreign secretary wrote in the News of the World that 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."
'Bread and butter''Bread and butter'
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.
"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."