From Brown's backyard to a soundproof bedroom: The rush to repay speeds up

Published on Friday 19 June 2009 21:51

NEARLY one in three MPs has repaid cash in the wake of the expenses furore. Around £500,000 has so far been returned.

The information was briefly available on the Commons website, before it was taken down by officials after concerns by MPs that those who paid back money voluntarily were being lumped in with colleagues who were forced to repay cash. However, the following details were available before they were pulled for most of yesterday:

GORDON BROWN

The Prime Minister has paid back just over 801. He made the payments in several instalments, including money repaid for a cleaning bill mistakenly claimed twice. There were also repayments for council tax, a service charge and an electricity bill.

He has not repaid the 500 it cost to repaint his summer house in the garden of his constituency home.

Downing Street said the money he had paid back had been "inadvertent errors or for the avoidance of doubt".

ROSIE WINTERTON

The newly promoted minister for regional development wrongly claimed for both the capital and interest on her mortgage. The rules stipulate that MPs can only claim for rent or mortgage interest, not capital repayments. She has paid back 8,247.59. Ms Winterton also claimed 490 for soundproofing her bedroom. This detail was censored from the receipts released on Thursday.

GEORGE OSBORNE

THE shadow Chancellor paid up after over-claiming for his mortgage. He also paid back 440.62 for a chauffeur-driven car. Mr Osborne, heir of the wallpaper and curtains empire Osborne & Little, paid back a total of 1,195.

KEITH VAZ

The former Home Office minister, who now chairs parliament's home affairs committee, voluntarily paid back a hefty 18,949.82. Much of this was for furniture, including silk scatter-cushions and armchairs.

DOUGLAS ALEXANDER

The International Development Secretary had one of the biggest repayments at 12,600. This was paid in two instalments and is for the rent he received from a tenant. The lodger lived in an annexe to his house and was already there when Mr Alexander bought the home. Mr Alexander checked the arrangement with the Fees Office but paid back the money to avoid any doubt.

BARBARA FOLLETT

The minister repaid more than 32,976 for hiring personal security guards outside her home. Mrs Follett, who hired the guards after being mugged, decided to make the payment after considering letters from her Stevenage constituents.

"The Fees Office did not ask me to do this, nor did they feel that it was necessary for me to do this. But some of my constituents, whose opinion I value and respect, did."

PHIL HOPE

The junior health minister paid back the most of any MP: 42,674. This was for his second home allowance. Mr Hope triggered outrage among constituents when it emerged he had claimed thousands for furnishing a tiny London flat.

SIR ALAN HASELHURST

One of the main contenders for the role of Speaker, Sir Alan has already announced he is paying back 12,000 for gardening fees. Yesterday it was revealed he had paid back 15,653.

YVETTE COOPER

The Work and Pensions Secretary paid back 17.50 that was mistakenly claimed for a bottle of whisky. She also repaid 1,350 for over-claiming on her mortgage interest after rates dropped.

ED BALLS

The Schools Secretary also paid back 1,350 for his share of the mortgage over-claim. He is married to Ms Cooper.