Real cost of expenses may be extremism
May 11 2009 by Will Green, The Journal
HOUSING Minister Iain Wright yesterday warned that "corrosive" leaks over MPs' expenses could see "hate-filled" extremists come to power as he defended his own claims.
The Hartlepool MP spoke out after it emerged he claimed thousands of pounds on furnishings for a second home – before he even bought one.
Speaking to The Journal, he said he sought advice from the Commons authorities at “every step” and told them he would repay the money if the purchase collapsed.
Mr Wright’s comments came as it was reported North Tyneside MP Stephen Byers received more than £125,000 in second home expenses on a London flat owned by his partner, where he lives rent-free. Former Prime Minister and Sedgefield MP Tony Blair apparently remortgaged his constituency home for £296,000 – nearly 10 times what he paid for it – enough to cover the deposit on a new £3.65m London house.
Mr Wright said it was reasonable for North East MPs to have furnished places in London to conduct Parliamentary work, but suggested an independent group of voters should decide what claims could be made.
He said the Parliamentary authorities should quickly release expenses’ information due in July to “lance the boil”.
Mr Wright initially used his expenses to stay in a variety of London hotels after becoming Hartlepool’s MP in a 2004 by-election according to reports.
