What you think of Vaz's decision
The Leicester Mercury went to the heart of Keith Vaz's city constituency to ask people what they thought of his decision to give back the £18,949 he spent on furnishing his second home.
It was revealed yesterday that the Leicester East MP handed back the money, saying people did not think politicians should claim expenses for the items he did.
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Mr Vaz spent £480 on 22 John Lewis cushions, £2,614 for a pair of leather armchairs and accompanying footstool, £1,000 on a dining table and leather chairs, £750 on carpets and £150 on a lamp and lampshade.
Aruna Dillibabu, 30, a company director of Eldon Street, Leicester, said: "I think he's done the right thing paying back the money. I've only lived here a year but I think he's doing a really good job overall. He does a lot for the area."
However, businessman Tony Pabla, 39, of Belgrave, said: "It's disgraceful. They all seemed to be sneaking it through.
"It's excessive what has he been spending all that money on."
Philippa Kent, 58, of Belgrave Road, said: "It's terrible. It's awful that there are older people in this city who can't have the things they need, while he's spending a fortune on furniture."
Shop assistant Jaspal Singh, 60, also of Belgrave Road, said: "He has been spending far too much of the taxpayers' money on things that could have gone towards improving the area."
9 Comments
by SCOTT TUSA, LEICSTER
Wednesday, June 24 2009, 8:52AM
“It personally makes me sick that these people who represent us in government can betray the trust of their supporters who voted them in their positions in the first place.The whole government system has now been tarnished with corruption inside thier own political system. The government seems to have put this country into shame and disgust. When you sit down and think of all the solders, civilians and innocent people who gave up thier lives to make this country into the power it was, where are we now? Respect, appreciation and honour have all been lost. Thank you Mr government, to those who have betrayed us. If someone like myself or anyone else had done this sort of thing in our positions we would have been imprisoned and given all the consequences with it. I HATE WHAT THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY HAS BECOME. >> GREED IS CERTAINLY THE ROUTE OF EVIL << and it seems to be spreading everywhere.”
by Jagdish, leicester
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 11:59AM
“I completley agree wih Aruna Dilibabu in your article. I have lived around here for many many years and have always found Keith Vaz very helpful and supportive when I have had a problem. I think it is good that he has paid the money back. I don't think it really matters because he was entitled to the money when he spent it.”
by fizza, leicester
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 9:41AM
“I can't believe he has given the money back/I think that shows he really cares about his constituents and what they think. And he didn't go running staight to the paper to announce that he has done so, I am impressed!!!!”
by Malida A, Rusheymead, Leicester
Tuesday, June 23 2009, 9:21AM
“I think its great that he has paid back the money because at the end of the day it isn't mPs fault that the system was flawed to start with. He didn't actually do anything wrong.”
by Sandra, Leicester
Monday, June 22 2009, 11:31AM
“Hi Graham - Vaz will never apologise its beneath him he thinks he is above everyone else.
Even if he did his apology would be meaningless. Too little too late.”
by Graham, Whetstone
Monday, June 22 2009, 11:21AM
“Am I surprised by his lack of apology? - No
Am I surprised by his lack of morals? - No
Am I surprised that he's seen fit to refund the payments? - No, but I am absolutely amazed that he did so without a self promoting fanfare in the media... now that is headline news!”
by M Malida, Leic
Monday, June 22 2009, 11:10AM
“He has done the right thing as he is honest!!”
by Kulgan, Crydee
Monday, June 22 2009, 9:39AM
“I for one am glad that Bandwagon Vaz does good work for his constituents because that is what he was elected to do and gets paid to do. What I do object to is someone we put in authority over us who should have the utmost integrity get caught doing things that have no integrity whatsoever. Bandwagon Vaz lacks the courage to apologise for his clear violation of the trust placed in him by the people of this great County.
The man lacks courage and at the very least, common decency. He has only paid the monies back because it was made public.
Redack that one Bandwagon Vaz!!!”
by Dell, Belgrave
Monday, June 22 2009, 9:17AM
“I recently saw Vaz's support leaflet for te Euro elections on it it states "help me to help you" I think he meant to say "help me to help myself"!!!!!
Hegve th money back because he got caught. Do what iswright Mr Vaz and resign!!!!”