Sunday - May 10, 2009

PART TWO, THE SCREWING OF THE TAXPAYER but NO FOREPLAY.

This bit of sleaze and greed won’t go away too soon. Be interesting to see what turns up tomorrow.  This has become a very major story over here, and with good reason.

Oh, and this is rich. HaHa.
The MINISTER for TOURISM, Barbara Follett, yes. That Follett. She’s the wife of author Ken Follett.
Anyway ... The minister of Tourism has claimed almost $50,000.00 for Security because, get ready folks;

SHE DOES NOT FEEL SAFE IN LONDON!

Does that say something about the state of order dis-order here?

FOLLETTE STORY HERE

By Patrick Hennessy, Political Editor
Last Updated: 8:15AM BST 10 May 2009

What are the rules?
In claiming taxpayer-funded expenses, MPs must abide by a parliamentary document known as the Green Book, which says that their claims should be “above reproach” and that there should be “no grounds for a suggestion of misuse of public money”.

Among the expenses MPs can claim is Additional Costs Allowance (ACA), for second-home expenditure including mortgage interest payments, utility bills as well as furniture, electrical goods, refurbishments and food.

The rules say the spending must have been “wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the performance of a Member’s parliamentary duties”. For 2008/9, MPs with seats outside inner London could claim up to £24,006 in ACA.

Are the rules being broken?

The vast majority of MPs are not breaking the letter of the rules – although some are.

However, MPs use a variety of questionable techniques to “milk” the system – including “flipping” the designation of which of two properties is their “second home”, buying goods for the “wrong” home, charging for stamp duty, avoiding capital gains tax, renting out a second home, moving up the property ladder by selling second homes, charging for trivial items, overspending on food or renovations, and doing up properties just before standing down from parliament.

Why is this scandal happening now?

A year ago the High Court backed an earlier ruling by the Information Tribunal that full details of MPs’ expenses, including receipts, should be made public.

Since then MPs have been accused of dragging their feet and playing for time. Full details are slated to be published in July but with some crucial details – such as addresses of second homes – blacked out. An investigation by the Telegraph has uncovered the full files.

What happens now?

MPs face pressure to release the full details earlier than planned – a move called for by Alastair Campbell, the former director of communications at Downing Street, and Charles Clarke, the former home secretary.

The revelations have unleashed a tidal wave of public anger against MPs who play the system. Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, will face further calls to liaise with other party leaders and introduce urgent changes to the system, particularly regarding the ACA.

TELEGRAPH UNCOVERS

Now get this one. 

MPs’ expenses: Sinn Fein claimed £500,000 for second homes
The scandal of how absent Sinn Fein MPs have milked the Parliamentary second-home expenses system for nearly £500,000 can be revealed.

By Andrew Alderson, David Barrett and Alastair Jamieson
Last Updated: 12:07PM BST 10 May 2009
The five MPs, who represent the political wing of the IRA, have not even taken up their Parliamentary seats and yet they have rented three London properties from the same family at rates well above the market norm.

The party’s two best-known figures, Gerry Adams, the party leader, and Martin McGuinness, Northern Ireland’s deputy first minister, jointly claimed expenses of £3,600 a month to rent a shared two-bedroom flat in north London. A local estate agent, who knows the properties, said a fair monthly rent for the flat would be £1,400.

HERE FOR THE REST OF STORY

Posted by peiper     on 05/10/2009 at 05:58 AM   
Filed Under: • Government • Corruption and Greed • Politics • UK •  
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It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.

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