MPs welcome final audit of expenses
THE region's MPs have welcomed the final audit of their expenses claims, with one saying it would "drag the House of Commons into the 21st century".
Sir Thomas Legg, the man charged with examining every MP's claim over a four-year period, released his final list of who had been asked to repay what to the taxpayer yesterday.
It is the latest episode in the long-running row about MPs' expense claims.
The list showed that Haltemprice and Howden MP David Davis had returned £917.76 for mortgage interest payments and gardening claims that were found to be invalid.
Mr Davis, who previously hit the headlines for the cost of maintaining the grounds of his East Yorkshire home, was not available for comment yesterday.
Four of the region's MPs – Hull's Alan Johnson, Diana Johnson and John Prescott, along with Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey – were all given the all-clear by Sir Thomas's team of auditors.
Hull North's Diana Johnson said: "The new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will now bring practical effect to the reforms that are needed to clean up the system. It is especially important that arrangements for MPs' allowances and salaries should be handled independently of MPs from now on."
As previously reported, East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight was asked to repay £2,259.99 for mortgage interest and council tax claims between 2004 and 2008.
"The three party leaders are backing reform, I support that and I think there has to be more openness," he said.
"In a way it's helped drag the House of Commons into the 21st century."
As reported, Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart was asked to repay £128 claimed for one night's stay in a London hotel soon after his election in 2005.
"This is a good point to move forward from. The inquiry is complete, new rules are being drawn up and the public know there will be very much better scrutiny of MP allowances in future," he told the Mail.
Sir Thomas yesterday issued a damning assessment of the "deeply flawed" and "vague" expenses system, which led to public outcry over claims some MPs had made to fund their second homes.
Most of the claims were made within the rules, which operated until the expenses scandal broke last spring.
Hull East MP John Prescott did not return the Mail's calls when asked to give his reaction to the expenses issue and Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson declined to comment.
See today's Mail for full reaction and analysis to the latest episode in the expenses row – including how much your MP has spent on travel, stationery and postage.
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by Lilly, East Hull
Friday, February 05 2010, 11:24PM
“Well said Arthur!
These people who we all elected to represent us have let us down beyond belief! They have continually disregarded our views, refused us our voice and then tried labelling us racist, terrorists or the like for daring to disagree!
We have no right nowadays to peaceful protest - we have to inform local Government weeks before should we wish to make a stand!! The DRAX farce were the protestors were all arrested a day before the protest was due to take place fully highlights how democracy works in this country!
Whatever the moral argument for those voting BNP we all have to agree that this party scares the living daylight out of the mainstream parties - the set up on Question time proved that!! Why do that if theyve nothing to fear? No I wont be voting for them BUT im glad theyre there, racist or not!
They use so many cards nowadays like racism, positive discrimination, sexism and even terrorism to bring out even more draconian laws! What really grinds me is that we have been the target of terrorists for many years, namely the IRA, didnt they hit the Government direct in 1984(?)?
Why do we allow this to happen? Are we a nation of retards? Anyone with any common sense can see that the timing of these 'prosecutions' have been timed to have a minimum impact on the election. Theyve prosecuted a bare minimum of M.Ps to be seen to be doing something - can you not see that! Why isnt Hazel Blairs there? Why not steal from your employer tomorrow, get caught and see what an apology does for you!
I agree with Arthur, a revolution is needed! Lets start with the ballot box and if that doesnt work lets do what weve always done and make a stand!! I appreciate its gonna take alot to distract these thieving scum bags from counting their 'takings' but they WILL have to listen eventually - otherwise we WILL make them!!!!!!!!
P.S - anyone else notice that they seem to hear public concern when theres an election coming up??????????”
by Badger, Beverley
Friday, February 05 2010, 11:20PM
“Am I the only one who's surprised that it was local tory MPs who had to pay their scams back?
Graham Stuart seems innocent when you talk to him, but his fraud is now obvious to all this foolish supporters.”
by Arthur, Ezzle Road
Friday, February 05 2010, 8:26PM
“So "MPs welcome final audit of expenses" eh? Never mind the final audit what about all the expenses claimed over say the last ten years? Let's have them published too, no whitewash, no "we are within the rules [which we made] crap". It's just excuse after excuse, let's face the problem frankly MPs have had their fingers in the till for years. The House of Commons siezed power from arrogant Monarchs, now it's time for the people to seize power from MPs. THe only sensible way this can be done is by constitutionally binding referenda like they have in Switzerland, where the people can over-ride the government. It wouldn't be so bad if MPs had actually represented the majority view but they don't. They have defied us over the EU, defied us over the death penalty, defied us over discipline and punishment in schools, defied us over building more jails, defied us over mass immigration, defied us over the Iraq war, and all three parties are the same - absolute bland meddling middle class out of touch idiots. They have made life an intellectual exercise, where if yobs make your life a misery you have to write a diary. What tosh!. They have given into the criminal scum, they give our monay away to foreigners while the roads are full of potholes. The list is endless. Off with their heads - the bloody lot of them!”
by Steve, Hull
Friday, February 05 2010, 7:45PM
“steve, thorngumbald Who said anything about voting Tory they are all as bad as each other the ones who did not have their fingers in the till sat back and watched the rest they are all guilty.”
by Michael, east Hull
Friday, February 05 2010, 7:41PM
“I'm sorry pete but although they may appear in court there is doubt that they will ever come to trial. They are all claiming that the courts have no jurisdiction under article 9 of the 320 year old Parliamentary Bill of Rights, this states " proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court". So the courts will have to decide the question of "Parliamentary Privilege" before any trial can take place.”
by steve, thorngumbald
Friday, February 05 2010, 6:11PM
“steve incase you havent noticed the torries are doing it aswell vote bnp!!!!!”
by JASON, HULL
Friday, February 05 2010, 3:32PM
“HANG EM ALL!”
by pete, hull
Friday, February 05 2010, 1:57PM
“fantastic news about these crooks being brought to justice at long last. lets hope further charges will be made who scammed us the taxpayers.”
by Arthur Foxache, 'Ull
Friday, February 05 2010, 1:54PM
“Well said Steve.”
by Unsatisfied, Hull
Friday, February 05 2010, 12:59PM
“As there is NO comments being asked for on the Elliot Morely story of prosecution, could i ask if he is to be stripped of his role in parliament and imprisoned until his appearance before the judiciary like the rest of us menials, or carry on as normal screwing as much as he can. If I had fraudulantly claimed £30,000 of "benefits" I would be typing this from a cell. As usual its one rule for "them" and another for us!”