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Luton MP Margaret Moran switched 'second home' just before doing it up (From Daily Echo)
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Luton MP Margaret Moran switched 'second home' just before doing it up
9:40am Saturday 9th May 2009
A LABOUR MP switched her second home to a house in Southampton 100 miles from her constituency just days before spending £22,500 on doing it up, it has emerged.
Backbencher Margaret Moran spent thousands of pounds over four years decorating and refurbishing three separate properties, switching her designated second home between Westminster, Luton and Southampton.
The Luton South MP, who earns £64,766 a year, apparently spent £22,500 of taxpayers' money treating dry rot at her and her partner's house in the city days after switching her ''second home'' there.
Records showed the Parliamentary fees office thought the work on the mid-terrace house 100 yards from the River Itchen waterfront in Southampton went against the ''spirit'' of MPs' allowances, but the rules did not give officials grounds to dismiss the claim.
During an exchange of e-mails between officials, one senior member of the fees office wrote: "The size of the claim and the timing of the change to her nomination were discussed but we were agreed despite appearing to be against the spirit of allowances there was nothing with regards to the rules that we could pull the claim on."
The house was originally bought by Mrs Moran's partner Mike Booker, who is thought to be safety adviser to the University of Southampton, in 1988. Her name was only added to mortgage documents only last year.
A spokesman for Ms Moran said: “Ms Moran is concerned about elements of the story and is seeking legal advice to whether or not this is actionable.”
No-one answered the door at the house in Ivy Road, St Denys, today.
Neighbour Pete Starnes said: “We only see them there occasionally. We don't have a lot to do with them if we can help it.”
He said work on their house included an extension to the back of the kitchen and an en-suite shower in the bedroom.
The revelation was part of the latest leaked details of Commons expenses show millionaire tourism minister Barbara Follett claimed more than £25,000 for security patrols outside her home.
Care services minister Phil Hope and health minister Ben Bradshaw also faced questions about their spending on second properties.
Meanwhile, immigration minister Phil Woolas threatened legal action over ''disgusting'' suggestions that he used parliamentary allowances to buy clothes for his wife, nappies and comics.
A national newspaper released more explosive material as desperate Commons officials called in Scotland Yard to investigate the leak.
Gordon Brown was forced yesterday to defend making payments for a cleaner at his London flat to his brother, and putting through a bill for plumbing work twice.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw was among other Cabinet ministers under pressure after admitting over-claiming for both his council tax and mortgage bills – although he stressed the money was paid back.
The latest disclosures also involved a senior Tory figure for the first time, shadow climate change minister Greg Barker.
The Bexhill and Battle MP - a close ally of David Cameron - is said to have made £320,000 after buying a flat with the help of taxpayers' money, and selling it after only 27 months.
The newspaper said details of other prominent Conservatives would be disclosed ''in the coming days''.
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Your Say YourEcho
Bright Spark, Titchfield says...
9:47am Sat 9 May 09
Andy Locks Heath, says...
9:58am Sat 9 May 09
10 Minute Man, Bitterne says...
10:04am Sat 9 May 09
Where I work has a lot of detail in the expense policy, but there's an over-riding policy of "only claiming for expenses actually incurred in the course of working for the company". I'm not 'entitled' to claim if I didn't actually spend the money.
10 Minute Man, Bitterne says...
10:08am Sat 9 May 09
Big Boy, Hythe says...
10:35am Sat 9 May 09
Derek of Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire says...
11:05am Sat 9 May 09
southy, redbridge says...
11:25am Sat 9 May 09
Andy Locks Heath wrote:andy you remember what i said before, they should build a block flats for all the MP's to stay in while they are in office. well i been e-mailing cnwp about it and they like the idea i also added your bit about the security, it will do away with this second home claim saving the country money.
What I despise about them is when they defend themselves by saying everything they did was "within the rules" No-one disputes that. Why doesn't anyone ask them whether they consider their actions to be in the spirit or the intention of the "rules". This is what you get when all our MPs no nothing outside of politics or law. It's why MPs like Vince Cable, Frank Field and Ian Duncan Smith are respected by the public despite their party allegiance.
the cnwp is standing in every area on june 4th in the EU elections, one off the things they want is a uk vote on the lisbon treaty. they are using the name NO2EU and will be getting my vote.
Finlay, Des Moines Iowa says...
11:50am Sat 9 May 09
This is disgusting vile and the epitome of greed by those that you elected to bring prosperity.
Hands up those who will vote Labor at the next election.
Ok then! What about those that will vote for the cyclops for re-election then?
10 Minute Man, Bitterne says...
12:34pm Sat 9 May 09
southy, redbridge says...
1:01pm Sat 9 May 09
Finlay wrote:but then i would not vote for tory's, lib/dems or bnp. because they are all bad has one another, and labour is no longer labour but just another tory party, so that leaves me with just one hope the NO2EU
...and formerly employed people walk the streets as businesses close down.
This is disgusting vile and the epitome of greed by those that you elected to bring prosperity.
Hands up those who will vote Labor at the next election.
Ok then! What about those that will vote for the cyclops for re-election then?
Linesman, Fareham says...
1:04pm Sat 9 May 09
southy wrote:It will be interesting to see whether this element of the Tory press will also be printing the claims of those 'born to rule'!
Finlay wrote: ...and formerly employed people walk the streets as businesses close down. This is disgusting vile and the epitome of greed by those that you elected to bring prosperity. Hands up those who will vote Labor at the next election. Ok then! What about those that will vote for the cyclops for re-election then?but then i would not vote for tory's, lib/dems or bnp. because they are all bad has one another, and labour is no longer labour but just another tory party, so that leaves me with just one hope the NO2EU
I have my doubts!
Ancient David, Romsey says...
1:07pm Sat 9 May 09
soton1980, Southampton/Winchester/Fareham says...
1:46pm Sat 9 May 09
Andy Locks Heath wrote:I agree. The defence is a hollow one for the MPs to use. You don't hear about any of them paying back what they have claimed out of good faith to the public! Plus none of them own up that it's wrong and say sorry.
What I despise about them is when they defend themselves by saying everything they did was "within the rules" No-one disputes that. Why doesn't anyone ask them whether they consider their actions to be in the spirit or the intention of the "rules". This is what you get when all our MPs no nothing outside of politics or law. It's why MPs like Vince Cable, Frank Field and Ian Duncan Smith are respected by the public despite their party allegiance.
So far it only seems to be Labour MPs which is interesting.
It will be intriguing to see if any opposition party MPs have abused the rules and to what extent if so.
southy, redbridge says...
1:56pm Sat 9 May 09
soton1980 wrote:there is torys on the list also, it was a smear campagn started by the torys that has back fired on them, eg:- The latest disclosures also involved a senior Tory figure for the first time, shadow climate change minister Greg Barker.
Andy Locks Heath wrote:I agree. The defence is a hollow one for the MPs to use. You don't hear about any of them paying back what they have claimed out of good faith to the public! Plus none of them own up that it's wrong and say sorry.
What I despise about them is when they defend themselves by saying everything they did was "within the rules" No-one disputes that. Why doesn't anyone ask them whether they consider their actions to be in the spirit or the intention of the "rules". This is what you get when all our MPs no nothing outside of politics or law. It's why MPs like Vince Cable, Frank Field and Ian Duncan Smith are respected by the public despite their party allegiance.
So far it only seems to be Labour MPs which is interesting.
It will be intriguing to see if any opposition party MPs have abused the rules and to what extent if so.
The Bexhill and Battle MP - a close ally of David Cameron - is said to have made £320,000 after buying a flat with the help of taxpayers' money, and selling it after only 27 months. there has been a higher number of tory mp's on that list than labour.
still you have a new chose this coming euro election by voting NO2EU let the other partys know your displesure.
Red & White Never Blue, Bitterne, Bitterne says...
2:04pm Sat 9 May 09
Bright Spark, Titchfield on the Solent says...
2:20pm Sat 9 May 09
Red & White Never Blue, Bitterne wrote:I think it's a Luton Town connection, she was on a day out with the hatters.
Has she been Tango'd
Saints Mike, Southampton says...
2:29pm Sat 9 May 09
Boris Remmington, Wellow says...
4:14pm Sat 9 May 09
King Mush, Woolston says...
5:41pm Sat 9 May 09
These well paid 'representatives' tell us how to run our lives and grind us into the ground with stupid legislation as well as screwing all manner of taxes out of us.
At the same time - most of them are feathering their own nests, fiddling mortgages, expenses and all manner of underhand sneaky wangles whilst showing a holier than thou profile.
The hypocrisy stinks and it's about time that real freedom of information exposes these pigs feeding away at the golden trough which is paid for by the 'little people' to quote Imelda Marcos.
Only a few decades ago when the Russian leaders were living the high life whilst their own peasants starved - ah the glories of a socialist paradise eh?
A plague on their houses
Tobeblunt, Southampton says...
5:47pm Sat 9 May 09
Bright Spark, Titchfield on the Solent says...
5:54pm Sat 9 May 09
Tobeblunt wrote:No she is being a hatter, there are a lot of them in Luton.
Is she modeling the latest easyjet uniform, or in her case easymoney.
B. L., Springfield says...
6:23pm Sat 9 May 09
King Mush wrote:Too true, what amazes me is how they get away with it. Just why does a Luton South MP have a second "home" in Southampton, I was under the impression that their first home was in their constituency and the second home was for being convenient to Parliament for all the "long hard working" hours they put in for the benefit of their constituents. Maybe I don't see the big picture and someone could explain.
Moron and co represent the unacceptable face of politics on a global scale.
These well paid 'representatives' tell us how to run our lives and grind us into the ground with stupid legislation as well as screwing all manner of taxes out of us.
At the same time - most of them are feathering their own nests, fiddling mortgages, expenses and all manner of underhand sneaky wangles whilst showing a holier than thou profile.
The hypocrisy stinks and it's about time that real freedom of information exposes these pigs feeding away at the golden trough which is paid for by the 'little people' to quote Imelda Marcos.
Only a few decades ago when the Russian leaders were living the high life whilst their own peasants starved - ah the glories of a socialist paradise eh?
A plague on their houses
These modern day highwaymen/women should be taken to task and pay back the money to the public coffers. I can see the General Strikes of old coming back to bite these pigs in the @ss, it has to stop somewhere, doesn't it?
Furthermore, what on earth does she think she looks like in that outfit, I've seen more conservatively dressed clowns. Sorry England, there's not a lot of hope for you with people like that running the country, and you berate the benefit scroungers, someone point out the difference?
Markcl10, Hythe says...
7:02pm Sat 9 May 09
King Mush, Woolston says...
7:25pm Sat 9 May 09
Markcl10 wrote:It looks as if she is after a part in the remake of 'Day of the Triffids'
A BIG high 5 to the Echo picture desk for finding a photograph of this useless dumpster of a woman which makes her look like a bloody clown.
The one that really makes me puke is the awful Hazel Blears- the most irritating smug jumped up harridan in Westminster.
They do say that politics is showbusiness for ugly people and she certainly qualifies.
She's like a female Piers Morgan - you just wanna slap those faces- even if you are not a violent person
Condor Man, Southampton says...
7:43pm Sat 9 May 09
Mentioning Frank Field, Vince Cable and to a lesser extent IDS it's clear that for years MP's have had their snouts in the trough and you can count the decent MP's on one hand. I'd add Dennis Skinner to that list.
Miles Way, Canada says...
7:57pm Sat 9 May 09
Prescott claimed for a broken toilet FFS - if I break a loo in MY house I have to pay to fix it, why shouldn't they?
Sadly this across all parties, they're simply using the taxpayer and parliamentary rules for maximum personal gain; there seems a particularly nice little earner in claiming for property renovations then selling & pocketing all the profit - why don't they have to repay what they've claimed from the profit?
southy, redbridge says...
10:46pm Sat 9 May 09
10 Minute Man, Bitterne says...
7:40am Sun 10 May 09
southy wrote:You're really doing a dis-service to the thieving and embezzling skills of our fine red brothers and comrades if you can only pick out 'blue' pigs at the trough. Look carefully and there are swine of all colours there feasting at the expense of the taxpayer.
all those problems stem back to m.thacther it was her and her tory government that change the rules so this can happen, back in the 80's. like her changing the banking rules and what was the first thing she done moved her money to a liechtenstein bank. they look after there selfs they dont care about the ordinary people thats why i am asking every one to vote for NO2EU let them know it has to stop. lets face it, its the people off this land that has the real power not them.
Perhaps if they were forced to be honest in their dealings, they might take the constant swindling of the social security system by those near the 'bottom' of the ladder a bit more seriously.
southy, redbridge says...
1:38pm Sun 10 May 09
johnbullas, Southampton says...
9:26pm Mon 11 May 09
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/uk_politics/8
044207.stm
For 2007-2008
Denham, Rt Hon John
Southampton Itchen
£154,260.00
(£23,083.00 for 2nd home)
Whitehead, Dr Alan
Southampton Test
£144,689.00
(£14,190.00 for 2nd home)
compare to
Moran, Margaret Luton South
£160,467.00
(£22,343.00 for 2nd home)
Labour MP claimed £22,500 for doing up Southampton home
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Bright Spark, Titchfield says...
9:47am Sat 9 May 09