MP Alan Duncan cleared of breaking expenses rules
Shadow prisons minister Alan Duncan was cleared today of wrongly claiming tens of thousands of pounds in mortgage interest payments on his second home.
The Commons Standards and Privileges Committee said there was nothing in the Tory MP's mortgage arrangements that breached Commons rules.
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MP Alan Duncan
Mr Duncan referred the case to Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards John Lyon himself after it was reported he had claimed the mortgage on his designated second home, even though he had owned it outright for more than a decade.
In his report to the committee, Mr Lyon said that it was "entirely reasonable" of Mr Duncan to have taken out a £271,000 mortgage secured on his London home – which he had owned outright since 1991 – so that he could buy a property in his Rutland and Melton constituency.
The commissioner said it was equally reasonable for him to claim the interest on the mortgage as it had been taken out solely for the purpose of purchasing the property in Rutland.
"The arrangement was relatively simple in that there was no other mortgage on the London home," he said.
"His mortgage interest costs were necessarily incurred to enable him to have a second home based in his constituency in order to fulfil his parliamentary duties."
7 Comments
by Kulgan, Crydee
Friday, November 06 2009, 9:07AM
“"wholly, necessarily, and exclusively in the performance of parliamentary duties".
The evidence proves that those that applied for payment of their expenses are morally corrupt, and indeed those officials who investigated such 'within the rules' transgressions are complicit.”
by Joseph, loughborough
Thursday, November 05 2009, 3:55PM
“What a way to spend our Tax, they are corrupted inside.”
by David Hankey, Great Easton, Leics
Thursday, November 05 2009, 3:29PM
“This is a hollow victory for Duncan, He wouldn't have gone voluntarily to the Standards & Privileges Committee if he knew he had not played "within the Rules".
Morals, it appears do not come into the equation!! So what does that portray to his voters and the nation at large?
It may well be seen as "entirely reasonable" to those in Westminster but for millions up and down the country it stinks. It is an appalling state of affairs and reform has been long overdue.”
by John, Glenfield
Thursday, November 05 2009, 3:28PM
“¿wholly, necessarily, and exclusively in the performance of parliamentary duties"
Remember that people. That is pretty simple to understand yes?
So either our MPs are well below the average IQ or they are abusing the system.
The house of "lords" is no better as they are getting off the hook by saying there is no definition in their "rules" for "main home".
Self serving venal scum. All of them.”
by Dave, Melton
Thursday, November 05 2009, 2:28PM
“Pardoned by your mates.
Morally guilty Duncan. However, the next problem is that you will be one of those along with your jury in the 'Boys Club' (if you get my meaning) to vote yourselves a huge pay increase to cover the abuse of the expenses scandal (greed).
So the question is? are you in parliament to help those less better off than you or just to line your pocket?
Your comments and showing on HIGNFY demonstrates clearly your morals suck.
Vote this terd out.”
by Jon, Leics
Thursday, November 05 2009, 2:13PM
“If that behaviour is "entirely reasonable" then how on earth has any MP managed to fall foul of the system? It seems to be little more than a blank cheque to spend as you wish - a system more befitting of a banana republic!”
by Alan, Leics
Thursday, November 05 2009, 1:45PM
“Would it not be more reasonable and normal to have a mortgage on the property you are purchasing ?”