North East MPs to repay thousands after review of expenses system

Feb 5 2010 by William Green, The Journal

For our expenses section, go to www.journallive.co.uk/expenses

A DAMNING review of Commons expenses has ordered North East MPs to repay thousands of pounds.

The report by former civil servant Sir Thomas Legg blasted the “deeply flawed” system and said that even the “vague” rules that existed failed to be enforced.

Around half of the country’s MPs were ordered to repay £1.12m in claims, with Darlington’s Alan Milburn emerging as the North East MP handing back the most cash.

The former Blairite Cabinet minister, whose main home is in Northumberland, repaid £11,600.50 after being ordered to by Sir Thomas.

The amount related to overpayments of £10,107.16 for mortgage interest over several years as well as duplicate payments for service charges and council tax claims.

He said: “They were genuine errors for which I am wholly responsible. I am deeply embarrassed and sorry for them.”

North East Minister Nick Brown sent a cheque yesterday for £697.95 for cleaning bills. The Tyneside MP, also the Government’s Chief Whip, yesterday said: “By retrospectively altering the rules, Legg is saying that I have got to pay some money back.

“The report is published today. I am sending him a cheque. If it was a constituent I would fight like mad.

“But I don’t think I should not spend my time fighting in my own corner. I wouldn’t let this be done to a constituent.”

It also emerged Wansbeck MP Denis Murphy, who is quitting at the next election, has got weeks to pay up as ordered by Sir Thomas – who was hired to carry out his audit of MPs’ expenses by Gordon Brown.