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Tory MP with a portfolio of 23 properties claims £100,000
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent6 Apr 2009
A CONSERVATIVE MP has claimed nearly £100,000 of taxpayer's money for a second home while building up a portfolio of at least 23 properties.
James Clappison, Tory MP for Hertsmere in Hertfordshire, is one of several MPs who have registered interests in a string of houses or flats. He declares 22 rented houses in Patrington, East Yorkshire, and in Withernsea, North Humberside, in the Commons Register of Members' Interests.
Mr Clappison has claimed £97,892 over seven years in public funds to run a second home, and is likely to have a further house or flat in his constituency or London. Five of the properties are registered in joint names with his wife. He has not broken any Commons rules.
Ian Gibson, Labour MP for Norwich North, said: "He seems to have almost a village to himself. Some people appear to have so much money that they don't need a foot up from the taxpayer for a second home."
Mr Clappison has built up his property portfolio over the years, having declared five rented houses in Patrington in 1998.
More than 130 MPs are believed to rent out at least one property, with some letting far more. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Chris Huhne declares rental income from two flats in London, as well as a house and a flat in Oxford. His bill to the taxpayer for a second home is lower than many MPs at £18,638 over three years.
Reader views (7)
There is a very easy and simple solution to this whole MP's remuneration mess:
Pay all MPs a flat salary of £150 000.00 per year from which they have to pay any and all of their expenses without anything else at all being claimable or payable to them by the taxpayers.
The only additional entitlement would be free rail warrants for travel to and from their constituency only.
Do that and at a stroke all of the dodgy dealings, profiteering and watching porn at our expense will be abolished and we can then see which MPs pocket the whole lot and which ones use a proper proportion of the money to fulfill their roles. This might also have the beneficial result of causing those who are only in it for themselves to decide to stand down and move onto something more suited to their desire to get rich quick.
- Matt, London, UK, 06/04/2009 17:30
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Val, Costas Muchus,
At least we were forewarned by Meddlesome that your 'whiter than white' ZaNuLabour lot are comfortable with the filthy rich.
And so it proved.
Far too comfortable, it now appears.
Who will it be tomorrow, then?
Blunkett, Reid, McCartney, Straw, Hain, Hutton...
Blair! ???
Now jump in the pool and cool off, luv!
- Dave, Cumbria, 06/04/2009 17:18
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Its a shame for him that he couldn't claim expenses on all of his properties!
- Badf Lafo, Glasgow. Scotland, 06/04/2009 17:16
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We would have a higher calibre of MP if it was possible to be elected to Parliament with one's usual job kept open for a return after one term in Parliament.
Generally, the people who seek election as an MP are really un-employed, but they describe themselves as 'Consultants' or similar.
It would probably be useful to require some educational qualifications, or have an entrance examination for prospective candidates.
Senior Civil Servants face a rigorous selection process, so why not MPs?
- John Jones, Wesminster, 06/04/2009 16:45
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If he had invested his money in the stock market would he be subjected to this false vilification? No. The fact is his real estate investments have probably been hammered like all property and the houses are not in London. He claims his allowances for London accomodation like other non London MP's do, nothing wrong with that. Focus on the Jacqui Smith's of this world who are abusing the system. If we had more MP's who aren't entirely dependent on the State for their remuneration maybe we would have better government?
- James Macleod Ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, 06/04/2009 16:40
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Dear Mr Ian Gibson, Labour MP for Norwich North - Throwing stones in greenhouses is not a good idea matey.
We know the conservatives are about making money and you know what you getting when you vote for them. It is the utter hypocrisy of you very rich preachy socialists that is sickening.
Especially when your policies manage to isolate the indigenous population of this country.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 06/04/2009 16:32
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No, it can't be. I could have sworn it was only Labour MPs who were up to no good. Just goes to show, which ever party, some are just not the good guys. Wait for the Tory apologists to start making excuses for this modern day Rackman.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 06/04/2009 15:50
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