Heads rolled today for the first time in the MPs expenses scandal.
Former Labour minister Elliot Morley was suspended from the parliamentary Labour party after claiming £16,000 for a mortgage he'd already repaid. And Tory MP resigned as an aide to David Cameron after an equally suspiciously fraudulent claim.
All too many of the MPs caught with their fingers in the till have claimed what they did were within the rules. And many have added that 'the parliamentary staff said it was okay'.
This is all nonsense. I've just taken a look at what the rules actually say. I quote from the Green Book:
“Claims should be above reproach and must reflect actual usage of the resources being claimed.
“Claims must only be made for expenditure that it was necessary for a Member to incur to ensure that he or she could properly perform his or her parliamentary duties.
“It is not permissible for a Member to claim under any parliamentary allowance for anything that the Member is claiming from any other source.
“Members must ensure that claims do not give rise to, or give the appearance of giving rise to, an improper personal financial benefit to themselves or anyone else.
“Individual Members take personal responsibility for all expenses incurred, for making claims and for keeping records, even if the administration of claims is delegated by them to others.
“The requirement of ensuring value for money is central in claiming for accommodation, goods or services – Members should avoid purchases which could be seen as extravagant or luxurious.”
I’d say that has them bang to rights. No excuses for cleaning out moats, claiming for mortgages that have been paid off or blaming the Fees Office staff. Time to call in the boys in blue.
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