MP Duncan apologises over expenses
A county MP has apologised after it was revealed he had made expenses claims worth thousands of pounds for work on his garden.
Alan Duncan, MP for Melton and Rutland, said he understood why the public was so angry and that all MPs "should be ashamed" for allowing parliament's controversial allowances system to spiral out of control.
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County MP Alan Duncan in his £7.000 garden with his partner, James Dunseath
He spoke out after the Daily Telegraph revealed yesterday that he tried to claim back more than £7,000 for gardening expenses over three years.
Officials in the parliamentary fees office refused to pay out for a claim of £3,194, in 2007, which they told Mr Duncan might not be "within the spirit of the rules".
The rest of the claims, which were accepted, went on paying a gardener £6 an hour to work 16 hours a week. In March 2007, he also claimed £598 to maintain his ride-on lawnmower and £41 to fix a puncture on it a month later.
He said: "I understand that people are really incredibly angry about this issue. I personally am very sorry about it.
"I think all MPs should be ashamed and every MP should apologise for the system that they've allowed to grow up without realising that this system is completely unfit for the modern age.
"Our responsibility now is to do our best to restore the trust of the public, which has been so badly undermined."
Mr Duncan is also said to have claimed £1,400 a month for mortgage interest on his home in Rutland. He bought the large detached house, in January 1992, shortly before he was elected to Parliament.
Mr Duncan said he had taken out a mortgage on his London home to buy the Rutland house. He then switched the loan to Rutland in 2004.
Today, Mr Duncan defended his expenses and said he had been transparent and broke no rules.
He said: "I was the first MP ever to publish his expenses in full, which I did in 2004. In January, I forced a U-turn from the Government which ensured that these receipts would be published and not exempted from Freedom of Information laws. I have always tried to set up a model office with the highest possible standards."
Yesterday, another Leicestershire MP was also criticised for his expense claims. Keith Vaz, who represents Leicester East, made claims on his second homes totalling more than £80,000 over four years.
Mr Vaz, who is chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, declined to speak directly to the Leicester Mercury about his expenses, but his spokeswoman said: "All Mr Vaz's claims are fully in keeping with the Green Book, which sets out what MPs can claim. If they were not, they would not have been paid."
According to documents leaked to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Vaz claimed more than £69,000 over a three-year period between 2004 and 2007 for a Westminster flat, despite his family home being a £1million house just 12 miles from Parliament. The money was used to pay for monthly mortgage interest payments, groceries and cleaning bills.
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by Jeffo, Leicester
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 2:24PM
“Makes you wonder what they actually do with their wages! We have to live off ours from month to month.That's if you are lucky and have a job at the moment! I would'nt be at all surprised if they put their pay into an 'offshore' account!!!!”
by Gordon, United Kingdom
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 1:30PM
“Has anyone yet discovered a single MP of any denomination who is not taking the wee wee out of the electorate with these totally outrageous expense claims?
They should resign from public office immediately. It is said that the electorate get the Government they deserve, but surely the British public deserve better representation across the board than from this sorry collection of people.”
by R.B.R., Enderby
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 1:12PM
“anon, Leicester writes "If they are all at it, who do you vote for?
Good question. I have never ever not voted in any election where I've been entitled to do so and I am more than 80 years old. I would never vote for a Tory, my memory of the"good old days" -for who? - are too strong. The "iron lady" was again much too uncaring for other than those whose attitude was "I'm alright Jack", so none of her party stand a chance of getting my vote. New Labour are simply another kind of Tories. The smaller parties probably would not get sufficient votes to form a government anyway - so, who is worth my vote?”
by Russel Sprout, NW Leics
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 12:56PM
“Absolutely disgusting, should resign NOW, if not sack 'em.”
by Steve, East Goscote
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 12:34PM
“Mrv Duncan is apologising now that his receipts have been made public, yet only two weeks ago he was laughing and joking about his expense claims and joking about what a good system it is on news quiz "Have I got News for You"
The only thing these gutter snipes are sorry about is getting caught!”
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 12:18PM
“David Cameron told his assembled blue-rinse brigade recently that there seems to be a problem in recruiting younger people into politics nowadays.
Considering the revolting 'give me alot of money, and then give me some more and sod the rest of you' culture as exemplified by The Apprentice / Dragon's Den / Lotto Euromillions / X-factor etc that so many seem to be attracted to on television, I find that surprising, as politics seems to be becoming more of a gravy train by the year.
'Right Honourable MP - You're Fired' red button vote-off, anyone ?”
by anon, Leicester
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 12:06PM
“If they are all at it, who do you vote for?”
by Graham, Whetstone
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 11:14AM
“How can these people use the title "Right Honourable" and keep a straight face? - Oh I forgot, they're politicians, right...
I don't accept this "it was within the rules" excuse, they have been caught out and should all be prosecuted for misconduct in a public office... then disbarred, and the monies should be returned to the Treasury under the proceeds of crime legislation;”
by David, Leicester
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 11:06AM
“If I want to work in London during the week and return home at the weekend, the inland revenue let me claim around 60 pounds tax relief per night, so about 15-20 pounds in real terms or less than 100 pounds per week. Why is an MP any different? Another striking thing about this story is that Alan Duncan has issued a very clear personal public apology whereas Keith Vaz has personally remained silent.”
by Jay, Leicester
Tuesday, May 12 2009, 11:06AM
“Oh good -I presume we are all allowed to use Mr Duncan's garden and stay in Mr Vaz's house when in London seeing as how we all paid for them...”