MP Brazier told to repay money
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THE auditor who carried out the probe into politicians’ expenses
is recommending that MP Julian Brazier repays £3,635.
Sir Thomas Legg has asked the member for Canterbury and Whitstable
to make the repayment or justify four areas of spending he has
identified.
These are accommodation at the Travellers Club, mobile phone calls,
contributions to a staff Christmas fund at the club and claims for
hotel stays plus flat rental at the same time.
In each case, Mr Brazier is to challenge Sir Thomas’s conclusions,
arguing that he has been saving the tax-payer money.
He said: “The major item he has challenged is my annual
subscription to the Travellers Club.
“At approximately £1,000 per year, my subscription gave me access
to bedrooms that were less than half the price of equivalent hotel
accommodation.
“The net saving to the taxpayer was several thousand pounds each
year when compared with spending approximately 100 nights in a
central London hotel.
“I had no other purpose in joining or remaining a member and left
as soon as I moved to Elephant and Castle.
“I have also repaid the £120 staff fund Christmas bonus some months
ago.”
Mr Brazier says he claimed three nights for both the Travellers’
Club and his apartment above the Elephant and Castle pub in south
London because the flat was not yet ready to live in.
He adds that his wife and sometimes one of his sons would stay with
him in London.
“Normally, I would stay in one of the cheapest rooms using a
communal bathroom and lavatory,” he said.
“On the rare occasions when my wife Kate came, I changed to a
double room with an en suite bathroom.
“I am puzzled as to why it is unacceptable for me to have a family
visit occasionally when most Members of Parliament have claimed
mortgage payments or rent for a second homes where their family
could presumably stay as often as they wanted and at any time of
year.”
MP are this week responding to Sir Thomas’s initial findings. It
will be three weeks before he writes to them with his final
conclusions.
Mr Brazier added: “I will of course pay whatever Sir Thomas
recommends in his final assessment next month.”
Tuesday, October 13 2009
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