Do Lothian MPs have nothing to fear in expenses row?

Published on Wednesday 13 May 2009 09:56

IT is the scandal that has rocked the political establishment to its core.

As MPs and the rest of the country await more revelations about outlandish expense claims, several Edinburgh and Lothian MPs have insisted they have nothing to fear.

&#149 Lothians MP to pay back expenses

One has dismissed rumours that he charged the taxpayer for work carried out on his Edinburgh home, saying he has never claimed a penny for the property.

Another has defended hiring his daughter to work part-time in his constituency office, pointing out he advertised the post.

Those who spoke denounced "staggering" and "preposterous" claims made by some of their colleagues and called for reform.

The Scottish Parliament system – where detailed breakdowns of expenses are published quarterly and mortgage payment claims are set be banned in favour of rent or hotel bills – was held up by many as an example to follow.

Attention will now focus on three MPs – East Lothian's Anne Moffat, Gavin Strang, of Edinburgh East, and David Hamilton, who represents Midlothian – who were unavailable to discuss their claims despite repeated calls from the Evening News yesterday.

Questions also remain about the claims made by the Chancellor Alistair Darling, who declined to discuss his expenses, beyond issuing a short statement saying they were within the rules. He has reportedly changed the property he declares as his main home four times in four years, allowing him to claim second home expenses in Edinburgh and London.

The widespread practice of "flipping" – MPs switching their choice of main home, potentially triggering more expense claims – has been one of the most controversial revelations.

Alistair Darling (Lab)

Edinburgh CentralLast expenses: 151,904

When contacted, declined to elaborate on the following statement: "The claims were made within House of Commons rules which were designed to reflect the fact that MPs have to meet the cost of living in two places."

Is he a "flipper"? Yes. He reportedly "flipped" or switched his designated main home four times in four years, although we still don't know the circumstances behind all the changes. They allowed him to claim thousands of pounds towards the costs of his family home in Merchiston, as well as buying a London flat which was mortgaged at taxpayers' expense.

John Barrett (Lib Dem)

Edinburgh West

Last expenses: 154,441

"I publish all my own expenses on my website, and I suppose the only thing that people could level at me is I employ my daughter one day a week in my office. The job was advertised in the press and there were a couple of applicants, and my daughter was by far the best candidate."I have always said that 95 to 99 per cent of MPs are decent, honest, up-standing members, but now I'm not so sure. I have found these revelations in the press staggering.

"The fact MPs are responsible for their own expenses is something the needs to be looked at."

A flipper? No. Claims for a "small" rented London flat.

Mark Lazarowicz (Lab)

Edinburgh North and Leith

Latest expenses: 165,171

"I know people have said to me, or behind my back, that work that has been done in my (Edinburgh] home has been public-funded, but that is not the case.

"That's why it is so important that we get our reputations cleaned up and out of the mire.

"I have a family home in Edinburgh and have never claimed a penny of taxpayers' money for that. I own a small (London) flat which I have maintained moderately. I believe I can defend all this spending.

"I think we have to go to a situation like the Scottish Parliament whereby people rent property if they need somewhere to stay."

Mr Lazarowicz today pledged to pay back 2,675 of his expenses - half the cost of claims he made for legal fees and other professional fees.

A flipper? No. Claims for a "small flat" in London bought when he became an MP in 2001.

Nigel Griffiths (Lab)

South Edinburgh

Latest expenses: 158,067

"I effectively have to duplicate parts of my life in that I have to have two washing machines and the like but you don't become an MP for the chance of owning two washing machines clearly.

"My claims are fairly simple and are pretty regular now, I am certainly not in this to make money.

"The Holyrood model is transparent and seems to work, so I don't know why we can't adopt that.

"There have clearly been abuses of the system, some of these claims have simply been preposterous.

"We missed a trick when the old Greater London Council moved out of their building opposite the House of Commons in the 1980s, that could have been converted to accommodation for MPs and we could have avoided a lot of the troubles we have today."

A flipper? Yes, but only on a technicality. Claims second home allowance for one-bedroom London flat bought twenty years ago. 'Flipped' his designated second home, but only when forced to by Commons rules. He was obliged to declare his London flat his main residence during 18 months as a junior DTI minister from 1997.

Michael Connarty (Lab)

Linlithgow/Falkirk East

Latest expenses: 183,466

"I have one of the biggest constituencies in the country so it does add up, but I'm not benefiting from it.

"The system should be simpler and the idea that MPs vote on the rules and if they get pay rises has always seemed bizarre to me.

"There is an element of false hysteria about this though, the rules of the system have been exploited to the Nth degree by the minority, which is something that I find embarrassing. I have been doing this for 17 years and I can assure you I am not out to skin anyone.

"We do work hard and I don't think that is always valued, this is all undermined by this current episode."

A flipper? No. Claimed second home allowance on the two properties he has owned in his 17 years at Westminster. He also said he paid capital gains tax when he sold the first property and moved four years ago.

Jim Devine (Lab)

Livingston

Latest expenses: 169,133

"I certainly could not afford to support myself down here on the existing salary so you would end up with a situation where only rich people can afford to become MPs.

"Along with my colleagues I have long been calling for greater transparency and clarity on the rules.

"I certainly have nothing to hide, along with the majority of MPs, it should be stressed.

"If we had a London living allowance then it would address all the added extra costs that come with living in the capital city."

A flipper? No. Claims second home allowance on a London flat he bought three years ago.

Gavin Strang (Lab)

Edinburgh East

Latest expenses: 157,571

Unavailable for comment despite repeated inquiries yesterday.

David Hamilton (Lab)

Midlothian

Latest expenses: 134,300

Unavailable for comment despite repeated inquiries yesterday.

Anne Moffat (Lab)

East Lothian

Latest expenses: 168,255

Unavailable for comment despite repeated inquiries yesterday.