Morning:
8°c
MP with two homes minutes from Commons claims £37,000 expenses
Peter Dominiczak and Benedict Moore-Bridger24 Mar 2009
A GOVERNMENT whip was today embroiled in the growing expenses row after claiming thousands of pounds for a second London home despite already having one within 10 miles of Westminster.
Assistant government whip Dawn Butler has claimed £37,245 in taxpayers' cash in two years to pay for a second property.
The Labour MP for Brent South has a house in Wembley, aboutnine miles or a 32-minute Tube journey to Westminster, and a home in Stratford, about eight miles or a 24-minute Tube ride.
She was today facing questions over why she needed the two homes, which are almost exactly the same distance from the Houses of Parliament. Her office has stressed in the past that she moved into the Wembley house after being elected in 2005 to allow her to serve her constituents.
Ms Butler is the second government member to come under fire this week over second home allowances after it emerged Employment Minister Tony McNulty claimed £60,000 for a house in Harrow where his parents live.
Opposition MPs and Ms Butler's neighbours today criticised her housing arrangements.
Greg Hands, Tory MP for Hammersmith & Fulham, said: "These allegations raise further questions. Gordon Brown needs to get a grip on his ministers and their expense claims."
Mark Jansen, 26, who lives two doors from Ms Butler's Stratford home, said: "Most taxpayers can't even afford houses at the moment and yet an elected MP, who is meant to represent us, has two. That just doesn't seem fair, especially in the current financial climate."
Ms Butler claimed £15,442 in second home allowance in 2005/06 and £21,803 in 2006/07. As an assistant government whip, she is entitled to an annual salary of nearly £90,000 including her MP's entitlement of £63,291. Her total expenses' claim, which includes staffing, office, travel, postage, second home and other costs, was £285,356 over two years.
Ms Butler bought the three-bedroom, mid-terrace Wembley home for £250,000 in 2006. It is now valued at about £260,000. Her two-bedroom terrace Str atford home, believed to be the family home she lived in before becoming an MP, is worth around £235,000.
Neighbours today said she is rarely at the Stratford home. Jose Gomes, 40, has lived next door for 14 years. He said: "I used to see her all the time, now I only see her every couple of months. Her brother's here occasionally."
Her neighbours in Wembley said they regularly see her and that she spends the majority of her time there. Speaking at her Wembley home today, Ms Butler declined to answer questions from The Standard about her use of the second home allowance. She said: "I totally resent you coming to my private home. Have some respect. How dare you."
Her spokesman has previously justified the expenses claim and said: "When she was elected she moved straight into the constituency and the [allowance] helps her to do that."
The Prime Minister has backed an inquiry into MPs' expenses by the Committee on Standards in Public Life, and has sought to widen it to include work carried out by politicians outside Parliament.
A number of Tory frontbenchers have lucrative directorships which have been criticised by other MPs.
Reader views (59)
For more on this see
http://secondhomegravytrain.wordpress.com
- Epa, London, 25/03/2009 23:53
Report abuse
If she wants respect she'll have to earn it and taking from the public coffers (however legal it may be) to feather her own nest is hardly the best way to achieve it.
A Labour MP taking money better spect on alleviating poverty, who the hell are the 30% who say they'll still vote labour? State employees I guess plus, perhaps, those with sub 80 IQs.
- Michael, Glasgow, UK, 25/03/2009 15:48
Report abuse
More snouts in the trough, and yet - incredulously - there are still people stupid enough to vote for this shambles of a party.
Wake up!
- Steve, London, 25/03/2009 12:48
Report abuse
Graham, Ilford
You know what, I have always considered the salary of MP's grossly low, and as a result blamed it for some of the poor quality of the recruits we got. Also the selection process from the Parties I never fully understand (...).
Anyhow, if they had a much higher salary, and the regulations put a very reasonable limit on their expenses we would not have this debate.
I would rather have a debate on quality of policies, and results in the front line where it counts, as our civilisation as we know it is in danger of extinction.
It is easier to be destructive than to build up anything, and if you do not like it, make proposals, be an activist, lobby, don't just whine and criticise.
- Nabil H, London, UK, 25/03/2009 10:08
Report abuse
After carrying out social engineering for years by passing laws to make us conform maybe they no longer want too,like the rest of us.Maybe they'll be out of a job soon & need something 'for that rainy day'
- Barry Cox, Haywards Heath. UK, 25/03/2009 09:36
Report abuse
Yet another reason not to vote for any of the big three parties next time! I won't be. They need a loud and clear message that Joe Public has had enough of paying for them to live the life of riley when everyone else is trying to make ends meet and worrying about whether they'll have a job soon.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent, 25/03/2009 09:34
Report abuse
Quite simply if they have commited a crime which it looks as if she and others have then they should be tried and fined/jailed same as anyone else
- Mike, London England, 25/03/2009 08:58
Report abuse
Yet another MP more interested in self serving, than serving the country. What can we do about it?
- David, Fleet UK, 25/03/2009 08:37
Report abuse
Nabil H: Did it not occur to you that MPs have offices as well as homes, and as she has some junior ministerial post (despite the fact that she has only been in parliament since 2005) she should use her office. A London MP doesn't need 2 London homes.
- Graham, Ilford Essex, 25/03/2009 07:09
Report abuse
Nobby Clark, I worked as an executive in industries and travelled continuously in the past, and I used to have flats at my disposal in every country I needed to be based, as I needed the space and silence to focus on the work at hand, maybe you have no idea what it means to work in the executive?
and no I am not a politician in disguise, though the way we treat them here is a strong disincentive to choose to consider becoming a lawmaker one day, that might explain some of the poor quality we sometimes encounter...
And by the way, no country can run without an executive.
- Nabil H, London, UK, 24/03/2009 23:25
Report abuse
This is just another example of the corruption of politicians - this is an MP who regularly sends leaflets about hospital closures - maybe if she took less money there would be more money for the NHS
- Debbie, Willesden Green, willesden green, UK, 24/03/2009 22:46
Report abuse
Whats wrong with her having her home here, she is alt least living in it and working from there, it dos make sense for her to have her home in the constituency where she lives. if people are not happy with her work , the election will bring some changes if people want a change.
- M Asghar, wembley UK, 24/03/2009 21:44
Report abuse
MP's are allowed to claim a 2nd home allowance to be able to do thier job more efficiently? Be closer to work?
This is another insult to the workers in the UK who, like myself, travel an hour to get to work daily. If we can still do an efficient job, well we have no choice to as would be sacked, why can't MP'S do the same?
Why are we taxpayers paying £26,0000 annual housing allowances for MP's who already live in London? How many people don't even earn that and still have to pay rent/mortgage?
At the voting stations, we voters, should not re elect in any MP where we have found they have milked the system dry. If they can't get by on their present salary, then get out and let someone else in who really believes in this County and who is willing to work for the basic salary. We must regard these theives no different to the arrogant bankers.
Voters, we must all wake up otherwise the situation will not change. We want individuals in who are more concerned about this Country than spending hours working out how much to defraud the taxpaper. No wonder nothing constructive gets done.
- Theresa, London, 24/03/2009 21:08
Report abuse
No doubt we will be told,yet again, that it is all within the rules.
So would burglary if the burglars made the law.
the sooner we get rid of this corrupt, self serving bunch the better. Roll on May 2010.
- Charles, Stanmore. London, 24/03/2009 17:30
Report abuse
Why stop at two ? They could fleece us for a lot more if they had three !!!
- Ted, London, 24/03/2009 17:23
Report abuse
Nabil H of London - MPs do nothing that a mobile workforce have to do, even down to the fiddling of expenses.
I can't believe you have any sympathy for these trough-dwellers. Maybe you are one of them in disguise...
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland, 24/03/2009 17:17
Report abuse
Yet this Government have the audacity to slam Tory frontbenchers who have cushy directorships. At least the Tories involved are not dipping filthy hands into the taxpayer till!
- Toks, London,UK, 24/03/2009 17:06
Report abuse
Are there any not on the make ? - Well none of the 8 Lib Dem London MPs claim 2nd home allowance at all
- Peter, London, 24/03/2009 16:57
Report abuse
No point reporting any dodgy issue involving government officials to the police judging by recent events when the Police have been called in, The Powers that be appear to have allies in all the legal off-shoots of government.
- Robert El-Cid., Hull, East Yorks.,, 24/03/2009 16:49
Report abuse
Oliver Cromwell had the words for it.
{ Oliver Cromwell's Speech on the Dissolution of the Long Parliament, 20th April 1653.)
QUOTE. "It is high time for me to put an end to your sitting in this place, which you have dishonored by your contempt of all virtue, and defiled by your practice of every vice; ye are a factious crew, and enemies to all good government; ye are a pack of mercenary wretches, and would like Esau sell your country for a mess of pottage, and like Judas betray your God for a few pieces of money. Is there a single virtue now remaining amongst you? Is there one vice you do not possess? Ye have no more religion than my horse; gold is your God; which of you have not barter'd your conscience for bribes? Is there a man amongst you that has the least care for the good of the Commonwealth? Ye sordid prostitutes have you not defil'd this sacred place, and turn'd the Lord's temple into a den of thieves, by your immoral principles and wicked practices? Ye are grown intolerably odious to the whole nation; you were deputed here by the people to get grievances redress'd, are yourselves gone! So! Take away that shining bauble there, and lock up the doors. In the name of God, go!"
UNQUOTE
- Frank, Bristol UK, 24/03/2009 16:48
Report abuse
How about bunk beds and sleeping bags in the commons cellars, (the dormitory) The speaker can then send them down there when he catches them asleep in the chamber (often)
T'would save us a kings ransom.
- N Zymes, Liverpool (UK), 24/03/2009 16:35
Report abuse
Here we go again! More snouts in the trough and more greedy self serving politicians feeding off the tax payer. They shoul all stop talking about Sir Fred and his greed and take a look in the mirror.
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France, 24/03/2009 16:35
Report abuse
How does one start a revolution please? People need to be very, very circumspect in casting their votes at the next general election. It's about time we sent a resounding message of rejection to the big two parties.
- B Williams, Friern Barnet, UK, 24/03/2009 16:31
Report abuse
With so many M.Ps operating the same scam it would appear that among them are barrack room lawyers who take up more time giving out advice on expenses fiddles than they do on the country's problems.
- Ronald Whitten, chesterfield derbyshire, 24/03/2009 16:22
Report abuse
Re Dawn Butler:"Her office has stressed in the past that she moved into the Wembley house after being elected in 2005 to allow her to serve her constituents." Do they take us for fools? This statement is clearly implying that she conducts constituency business from her Wembley home. I doubt very much that this is the case, she will have another taxpayer funded office elsewhere (probably the one that issued the above statement!).
Rob, London: I don't subscribe to your view that a publicly owned accommodation block would be a security risk; there is no reason why such a complex would be any less secure than any other sensitive government premises, such as the Palace of Westminster where all of our MPs and Peers congregate en masse on an regular basis. It is the the obvious and probably the most cost effective solution for the long term.
When Soviet Labour came to power Billy Liar promised that they would be "whiter than white", they banged on endlessly about "Tory sleaze" and dragged the likes of Aitken and Archer through the mud. The actions of these self serving fools pales into insignificance when compared to the scandalous behaviour of "the party of the working man" over the last 12 years. Their empire is built upon a foundation of backhanders, mendacity, self service, sleaze and spin. NuLiebour are the most morally corrupt British government in recorded history.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster, 24/03/2009 16:22
Report abuse
Goverment or mafia,is there really a difference.Newspapers should never back a single party,but give its readers the information to make an informed decision on who to vote for.I hope at election time,we the voters will get the following list.a)candidate b)expenses claimed c)% of meetings attended D)achievements E)what they stand for
- David, london, 24/03/2009 16:09
Report abuse
Criticising Bankers Bonus's seems slightly hypocitical. MP's seem to be just as much on the make & on the take to me.
- Rupert, London, 24/03/2009 15:59
Report abuse
once you scratch the surface, the depth of manure seems bottomless.
is there any mps,meps, or members of the lords not on the make?
perhaps we need an election to rid the system of yesterdays members on the make.
fresh faces, with clean motives and sound agendas.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk, 24/03/2009 15:43
Report abuse
While the suggestion by Martin of West Wales (to provide all MPs with flats in a centrally-located appartment block) has a certain logical appeal, security concerns would rule it out. What is needed is a root and branch overhaul of the rules regarding all expenses so that MPs can only claim for costs genuinely associated with the proper performance of his/her public service, coupled with complete transparency of the claims system.
It seems that for a long time there has been a widely-held view among MPs that expenses are a legitimate top-up to salary, and you'd be a mug if you didn't take advantage by acquiring a second home and sticking your husband/wife/nanny on the payroll. And it seems that many London MPs believed that expenses to fund a second home were something to which they were entitled in order to put them on a level footing with MPs from outside London. (One can almost understand the perverted reasoning: with property prices booming, how grossly unfair that only MPs from outside London should be able to benefit from this windfall - ignoring the fact that those MPs genuinely need a second home in London).
But lest we forget, it's not just the MPs - the Lords are at it as well!
In fact, perhaps all we really need is a better standard of public servant.
- Rob, London, 24/03/2009 15:42
Report abuse
When election day comes, vote out the three old main parties out of Westminister and elect new parties in. It's the only way to hurt these corrupt MP's and their parties.
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 24/03/2009 15:27
Report abuse
Why do Journalists always assume that Lawmakers and Politicians can work like them off a hotel and move like a migrating pigeon.
You need space and resources to do the kind of jobs executive policy makers do.
I find it ludicrous that you are trying to criticise them for that. That you do constructive criticism of policy I understand, or expose blatant fraud, but having a second dedicated base to operate from is necessary for this kind of work, unless what you are looking for are just fast food type structures and regulations, a bit like tabloid style reporting at which you excel.
And maybe by the way, we are getting a taste of our own medicine, because by harassing lawmakers and not giving them the space and the comfort to produce feasible policies, constantly criticising them, what you get is a situation where we get the politicians we deserve, who cannot think for the future, and who keep being more distracted by this non-sense attacks than by doing a proper job.
Someone said rightly, "do not find a fault, find a remedy".
- Nabil H, London, UK, 24/03/2009 15:21
Report abuse
The rules are quite clearly wrong - and the spirit of the rules appears to be being ignored most by those who you might expect would behave properly. Obviously not - power corrupts - Brown calls a review over that which he has been at the heart of for 10 years. It's time to clear these abusers of office out - whatever side they're on.
- Ian, London, England, 24/03/2009 15:12
Report abuse
I blame the system if it allows an MP to claim expenses,
Opportunity helps the prepared mind.
In Italy,MPs are paid €15,000 (£14,000+ )a month plus expenses,the highest in Europe,they still claim expenses
that are exagerated.
- David Nigel Braham, Milan Italy, 24/03/2009 15:04
Report abuse
You start to see why, in days gone by, MPs were unpaid and had to live off a private income.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 24/03/2009 14:45
Report abuse
Corruption through sheer arrogance - this is what over ten years of Labour has done for us. It is ironic but the Labour Party with a few honourable exceptions is all about how much they can extract from the taxpayer for their own interests
- Simon, London, 24/03/2009 14:28
Report abuse
Disgusting!
Whilst many of us face the prospect of redundancy and the fear of how to pay our mortgages, it’s been highlighted once again that these greedy, depraved individuals take advantage of the rules at the expense of the taxpayer’s.
Despite whether it's within the rules, it’s scandalous none the less.
- Geri, Thurrock, England, 24/03/2009 13:49
Report abuse
Martin West Wales is right a 4* hotel with lots of meeting rooms would do nicely in an area like Elephant & Castle so the can meet real people. Full secretarial services on site (no employing relatives) Unlimited travel, cattle class to their constituencies where they get a state provided car fully funded & serices. Then they would not need expenses.
- Nick, London, 24/03/2009 13:10
Report abuse
Actually it's not her private residence - it's tax payers subsidising it and as such we have a right to stand outside and question her on it.Ms Butler should certainly be investigated and questioned. This 2 homes is a farce and should never ever be given to MP's in London and greated London, only those that genuinely have to live where their constituency is and travel to London for work - and even then it should be limited.
- Nicky, london, 24/03/2009 13:09
Report abuse
Brown and his corrupt comrades are destroying the Labour movement and the party as well as the country. Surely the union leaders can see this and have the guts to do something about it or are union leaders getting too fat under New Labour too ?
- Doug Watt, london e14, 24/03/2009 13:06
Report abuse
how dare we come to your home? you mean OUR home. We paid for it!
- Ag, London Village, 24/03/2009 13:02
Report abuse
Another good use of tax payers money - also remember as these are expenses and so free of tax!!!
Also on - "I totally resent you coming to my private home. Have some respect. How dare you."
I as a taxpayer say to her "How dare you rip us off!!!"
- Jeremy E, London, 24/03/2009 12:57
Report abuse
And this sorry bunch, {Of all parties}, want us to re-elect them at the next election.
The sad thing is that some people WILL vote for them..!!
We need a major over-haul of politics in this country from local councils upwards.
- Mark H, London England, 24/03/2009 12:48
Report abuse
If they did a good job maybe we would not be so up in arms.
- Dc, London, 24/03/2009 12:45
Report abuse
Every time I see an advertisement on TV, stating those that illegally claim benefits will be tracked down and prosecuted, I have to wonder if any of these cheating MPs feel any guilt claiming these expenses (funded by taxpayers) for second homes.
Millions of taxpayers have lost their jobs recently and can't even keep ONE roof other their heads!
These MPs should be ashamed of themselves.
- Joon, Streatham, South London, 24/03/2009 12:33
Report abuse
"I totally resent you coming to my private home. Have some respect. How dare you."
How dare someone question public servant ? Is this woman for real
- Mike Murphy, london, 24/03/2009 12:30
Report abuse
MP's apart from 2 homes are the only ones to receive tax free allowances on cigarettes and achocol and they also decide their own pay rises all for a hard day at the trough. - M.E. Fedup
- M.E Fedup, london uk, 24/03/2009 12:28
Report abuse
We should build an appartment block in Central London as accomodation for MPs, rather like the barracks we provide for our armed forces. This block could be fitted out with security, conference facilites, etc. All MPs would have an allocated appartment, regardless of their constituency location. If they don't want to use the facility they pay for alternatives out of their own pockets.
- Martin, West Wales, 24/03/2009 12:08
Report abuse
What an absolute mess they have gotten themselves into. This bunch of jokers have it made, where do I sign up to become an MP?
- Alanj, London, 24/03/2009 12:04
Report abuse
It’s not illegal to claim for a second home alliance; it’s also not illegal to gamble people pension money in what is essentially a giant banking pyramid scheme. I have found a lot of banks and politicians hide behind what is legal over what is morally right and just. But who can we change things when the people in the position to do so are also the ones creating the problem?
- Paul Byrne, London, 24/03/2009 12:00
Report abuse
It is scandalous to expect electorate to wait until after the next election before publishing the results of their enquiries. It is a known fact that any enquiry conducted by the standards in public committee will be a complete whitewash. Why are they postponing the enquiry until autumn? What are they covering up? There should be an immediate police investigation and the guilty MPs charged and punished. To allow them to continue thieving from the public purse for another year is an insult to law abiding citizens. IF BROWN REALLY WANTED TO BOOST HIS RATINGS HE WOULD SACK THE LOT OF THEM.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 24/03/2009 11:35
Report abuse
This is just a fiddle by MPs. These expenses are meant to compensate them for keeping a second home. Instead many MPs are just claiming it as a right. I expect Ms Butler will claim that she isn't breaking the rules.
- Neil, Gloucestershire, England., 24/03/2009 11:34
Report abuse
Pay the money back - with interest and then you and McNulty should resign. Typical NuLab.
- Undercover Elephant, London, UK, 24/03/2009 11:21
Report abuse
The words nose and trough spring to mind. Time to put an end to this nonsense, Mr Brown.
- David, London, UK, 24/03/2009 11:05
Report abuse
MP's allowances seems to be the media's pet project at the moment. They can't be blamed for taking advantage of the rules. -If it's wrong, then it's the rules that need changed. -Just as for years, the country's rich have evaded income tax by employing experts to come up with Tax avoidance schemes. Immoral and greedy yes, but allowed within our laws, which are either sloppy and inefficient, or designed to give advantage to the rich. -Either way -it's time for change!
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland, 24/03/2009 11:04
Report abuse
Instead of giving them a 2nd home allowance, MPs should be given a flat in the most deprived Housing Estate. If its good enough for the common man, its good enough for them!
- Ash, London, 24/03/2009 10:25
Report abuse
Drip, Drip, Drip. They will bleed us dry.
- Jamie Wilson, Edinburgh Scotland, 24/03/2009 10:17
Report abuse
These cheating MPs make me sick to the stomach, especially when they hide behind their claim of no wrong doing. The system is corrupt and needs to be changed NOW. We the voting public do not have to put up with this any longer. MPs are voted into office and the public can vote them out. Gordon Brown and his band of thieves are happy to point the finger at Sir Fred Goodwin and the banker and their bonuses but how clear can their own consciences be? MPs policing MPs yeah right how transparent is that? All (cross parties) rotten to the core.
- Sharon, London, 24/03/2009 10:16
Report abuse
Ye Gods! How big is this trough?
- Alan, Chigwell. UK, 24/03/2009 10:06
Report abuse
With people like this running the government is it any wonder this country is in such a mess?.
- Steve, London UK, 24/03/2009 09:46
Report abuse
