Dorrell's legal threat over unpaid bill
Stephen Dorrell was threatened with court action for failing to pay his council tax on time.
The Charnwood MP's published expenses contain demands for missed payments relating to his second home in London, writes Dan Martin.
-
Stephen Dorrell
One letter from Westminster City Council, sent in September 2004, demanded Mr Dorrell pay a monthly installment of £64.75 or face legal action.
Similar letters were also sent in September 2005, September 2006 and September 2007.
Mr Dorrell's water company was also chasing him up for an unpaid £181.76 bill in November 2006 and issued a final demand.
Mr Dorrell settled all the late bills and claimed the money back, as he was entitled to, under his additional cost allowance.
He said: "I have to confess I have not always been the most organised when it has come to paying some bills.
"Paperwork simply isn't my strongest point."
The former Conservative health minister said: "Of course I would encourage people to pay their council tax bills on time.
"I have now set up a direct debit so I hope there won't be any problems in the future."
Rather than claim month by month as most MPs have done Mr Dorrell lumped many of his months together.
He said: "It is perhaps different to how other colleagues do it but that is because I don't like the process of doing it and I avoid it where possible."
In 2007-2008, he claimed more than £1,000 a month for his second home accommodation and £3,450 in total on food.
He added: "I have been comfortable about all the details being put online.
"Some of my colleagues have been pouring over their receipts recently.
"I've a pile of them on my desk which I have flipped through.
"Perhaps the one issue I have been asked about in recent discussions is the sum I claim for food."
Mr Dorrell said he preferred to eat out rather that cook.
He said: "It (the food claims) does appear quite a lot. When I am in London, I am busy and I don't like to spend a large amount of time preparing meals."
Mr Dorrell added: "The whole expenses affair has been very challenging.
"The actions of some members have been at best distasteful and at worst verging on the illegal.
"It has raised issues of trust but I hope the publishing of the expenses will show the majority of MPs have acted honestly and always with good intentions."
5 Comments
by Edward, Leicester
Monday, July 06 2009, 10:57AM
“If someone cannont manage thier own affairs properly, what hope do we have that they can manage ours?”
by David, Hinckley
Friday, June 19 2009, 1:15PM
“Well well well - "paperwork isn't my strongest point" - I bet he is OK with his expense forms.!!!”
by Paul, Hamilton
Friday, June 19 2009, 11:36AM
“Looks like Mr Dorrell is away in September. I had a few of these letters from LCC one for being late for 5 days mainly because I could not get through on the call centre.
Also with utilities I find it better to leave it late to pay bills. Normally you have to wait in the queue but if your bill is on the 2nd reminder you always seem to get straight through to make the payment!!”
by David Hankey, Great Easton, Leics.
Friday, June 19 2009, 11:30AM
“Absolutely incredible. "I have to confess I have not always been the most organised when it as come to paying some bills" and this when using public funds.
Also, "paperwork isn't my strongest point" this ought to go down in the 'Book of Excuses', surely he's got staff to deal with these mundane issues.
It is this sort of attitude that the general public is sick and tired of that MPs seem to think it is entirely appropriate to act in such an entirely inappropriate way!!”
by Martin, Leicester
Friday, June 19 2009, 10:40AM
“'poring' not 'pouring' over their receipts (unless it was pouring black ink!)”