Police should be called into MPs' expenses row - Ladyman
Comments |
by political
editor Paul Francis
MPs who deliberately broke rules on allowances in a way that
could be fraudulent should be investigated by the police, a Kent
Labour MP says.
Dr Steve Ladyman, the Thanet South MP, who is also a vice
chairman of the Labour party, said MPs were not above the law and
should face the same consequences as anyone else suspected of
fraud.
He said: "I do think the law and police action should apply to
MPs in the same way they apply to everyone else. If you can show
someone has committed fraud, they should face the
consequences."
His comments come as futher damaging revelations about various
claims were published. Labour MP Elliot Morley is under fire after
claiming £16,000 for a mortage that did not exist.
Dr Ladyman said: "When it is a misinterpretation of the rules or
a matter of something claimed in good faith an internal inquiry is
perfectly acceptable.
"But if it seems to have involved someone saying, for example,
they have a mortgage when they don't or have changed their
arrangements to avoid capital gains tax, then other authorities
should be involved."
He said it was important MPs should face the same action
employees in other walks of life might have to for committing
fraud. He stressed he was not making a judgement about any
individuals and said MPs were entitled to a fair hearing to
give their side of the case.
The Thanet South MP also said he planned to publish his
allowances receipts on the internet ahead of the scheduled
publication by the Commons' authorities.
Tony Lloyd, the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, has
written to all MPs urging them to publish details of their claims
as soon as possible.
Chatham and Aylesford MP Jonathan Shaw, a junior minister, said
he "would reflect" on the suggestion but said he had not yet read
the letter. He said he did not think any of his claims had been
contentious but had not gone back over the details.
~ 'MP allowances row will boost extreme parties' - Widdecombe
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Thursday, May 14 2009
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