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Sinn Fein MPs claims top £200,000 NI's MPs claim £2m in allowances
(about 2 hours later)
Sinn Fein's five MPs claimed more than £200,000 in allowances last year, House of Commons figures have shown. Northern Ireland's 18 MPs claimed almost £2m in allowances last year, House of Commons figures have shown.
The MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster or participate in parliamentary business, are entitled to claim for expenses. The 2005/06 payments show that, on average, Northern Ireland's MPs claimed just over £104,000 each.
Their allowances include office staffing costs and travel. The DUP's nine MPs claimed a total of just over £1.1m, while the SDLP's three representatives claimed £400,236.
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams claimed £46,251 in total, including £2,123 towards the cost of travel on parliamentary business. Sinn Fein's five MPs, who do not take their seats at Westminster, claimed more than £200,000. Lady Sylvia Hermon, the UUP's only MP, claimed £122,333.
He also paid his office staff £26,244 out of his Westminster expenses. Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP's MP for Lagan Valley, claimed the most in allowances with a figure of £152,722.
Martin McGuinness's allowances were worth £42,613, including £7,750 on travel and £17,834 for staff. Out of Northern Ireland's MPs who sit at Westminster, DUP Upper Bann MP David Simpson claimed the least expenses with a figure of £96,389.
Michelle Gildernew claimed £40,898, Conor Murphy claimed £38,910 and Pat Doherty claimed £38,049. MPs are paid a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension. Their allowances include office staffing costs and travel.
All the UK MPs' expenses and allowances totalled almost £86.8m, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year. The total cost of all of the UK MPs' expenses came to almost £86.8m, an increase of nearly £6m on the previous year.
Winding up allowance The average UK expenses claim for 2005/06 came to about £131,000 per MP.
The 2005/06 payments - about £131,000 per MP - come on top of a basic salary of £59,686 and a pension. Staff
The total is higher than usual as it includes a winding up allowance paid to MPs who lost their seats at the last general election.
Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed £87,342, with Tory leader David Cameron on £135,729 and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell taking £123,617.
Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff.Up to £87,276 is available for salaries for researchers, secretaries and other staff.
Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment.Other allowances can be claimed for travel on parliamentary business, office costs, stationery, postage and computer equipment.
MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament.MPs representing constituencies outside central London can claim about £20,000 for the cost of staying near Parliament.