Protester digs up MP's garden
An MP has branded a political stunt in which activists dug a large pound shaped flower bed into his lawn as "unacceptable".
Intruder Hayden Prowse, masqueraded as a gardener as he carved a three-foot pound sign into MP Alan Duncan's garden and filled it with flowers on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Prowse claimed it was in response to the criticism Rutland and Melton MP Mr Duncan received for trying to claim £7,000 in gardening expenses for his home in Thorpe by Water, in Rutland.
Mr Duncan, who has reported the incident to the police, said: "I know these are feverish times but however unpopular politicians are at the moment, attacks of this sort are unacceptable."
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The act was filmed and broadcast on DontPanicOnline.com – a political and arts website.
In the three-and-a-half minute film, Mr Prowse, 28, starts by giving a brief account of Mr Duncan's business background before pinning £10 notes to a small tree and claiming it is Mr Duncan's money tree.
He also stages the uncovering of a buried chest filled with £20 notes.
Watch the film...
Mr Prowse, editor of the Don't Panic magazine, based in London, said: "I've had a lot of journalists asking if I'm worried about the police catching up with me – and to be honest, I am a little.
"But if Alan Duncan wants to press charges then that's fine." He said his actions were a protest against the expenses claims the MPs had been allowed to make.
"We did our research and decided to focus on Alan Duncan because he's a very rich guy and we're paying thousands for his garden," he said.
"It's just not acceptable, these people think they're untouchable so we're taking it to their homes and showing them the public are angry.
"We're not putting bricks through MP's windows, we're just going to their houses and pushing them out of their comfort zones." In the video, Mr Prowse said the gardening he was about to do was free, so Mr Duncan didn't have to claim anymore expenses.
The under-fire Conservative MP said on Tuesday he would pay back almost £5,000 in allowances for gardening work at his Rutland home.
A spokesman for Mr Duncan said: "Two men tricked the gardener. They carved a pound sign in the garden and put blue flowers into it and planted a 'money tree'. They were trespassing and Alan reported it to the police."
Frances Frowde, who lives near Mr Duncan's home, said: "I've heard about it and I think this will bring out some sympathy for Alan, who is a very good constituency MP and we support him."
Fellow villager Eamon Walsh said: "I'm amazed they would have the nerve to go there, there is a lot of security. The whole country is outraged by what's been revealed about MPs, and not just Alan Duncan."
Police have confirmed they received a report of criminal damage at Mr Duncan's home.
No arrests have been made, but investigations are continuing.
Comments
by ak, leicester
Friday, May 15 2009, 2:34PM
“I'd have to agree with Alison. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA”
by Alison, Markfield
Friday, May 15 2009, 1:52PM
“I know I shouldn't, but - hahahahahahahahahahahaha!”
by Mark M, Warrington
Friday, May 15 2009, 1:50PM
“How can that be criminal damage? That's OUR garden. We paid for it.
Joking aside, he probably shouldn't have dug it up. The 'Jacqui Smith Plaque' was ok because that can be easily undone. Still, if it gets the message across that the public are angry then it's hard to argue against.
Perhaps he could have just planted a load of flowers and left a note saying that the newest flowers were provided for free so no need to claim for the work.”
by Alan, Leics
Friday, May 15 2009, 1:42PM
“Obviously Kulgan, Crydee has not read the green book, what this spend has got to do with performing his dutiy of being an Mp, heaven only knows”
by Paul, Leicester
Friday, May 15 2009, 12:20PM
“The most annoying thing about most of these claims is that MP's are quite well off in the 1st place and should be able to afford to pay for gardening, cushions etc from their regular wage. How do expense claims for such items ever get passed surely expenses should only be for items required to do your job, stationary, travel expenses etc. If Mr Duncan wants to report incidents like this to the police its probably about time that we the people of this country reported these 'right honourable' people to the police for ripping off the nation.”
by Bob, Leicester
Friday, May 15 2009, 11:55AM
“Absolutely love it. Fantastic payback and I think Alan will be creating more media attention and problems if he presses charges.”
by John Stitch, Leicester Town
Friday, May 15 2009, 11:53AM
“So if taxpayers end up paying to have this person arrested and charged, and also possibly end up paying to repair the damage - then it ends up just being some kind of student prank that's horribly backfired. DOH !
Someone tell this clown that if he wants this MP ousted from his job, then use the ballot box, and while you're about it, tell him that if he wants to follow the example as outlined in the bible of one criminal act justifying another, then that isn't something condoned by the kind of society he no doubt thinks he's trying to protect.
Do it somewhere else !”
by Mr Lesley, Leicester
Friday, May 15 2009, 11:23AM
“The Mercury missed a headline on this it should read "you reap what you sew"
video is hilarious”
by Mick, whitwick
Friday, May 15 2009, 11:03AM
“well done mate.”
by Mike, Glenfield
Friday, May 15 2009, 10:47AM
“I'm not sure this stunt will bring out any sympathy for the trough- feeders. I think it's brilliant - shame it was only 3-foot; I reckon 30-foot would have given a far stronger message from the fed-up voters!!”