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Cameron rebukes Tory for claiming MPs are victims of witch-hunt
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor22 May 2009
David Cameron today slapped down a Tory backbencher after she claimed that MPs were victims of a “McCarthy-style witch-hunt” over expenses claims.
Nadine Dorries, who said there were fears that an MP could commit suicide, said the situation at Westminster had become “completely unbearable”.
But Mr Cameron told the BBC: “Of course MPs are concerned but, frankly, MPs ought to be concerned about what their constituents think and ought to be worrying about the people who put us where we are.”
There was clear anger among the Tory high command at the latest intervention by the outspoken Mid-Bedfordshire MP, with one senior source describing her comments as “completely wacky”.
In an extraordinary interview on BBC Radio 5 Live, Ms Dorries also claimed that the Daily Telegraph was exposing the scandal “to destabilise the main parties”.
Members of the public rang the 5 Live phone-in to attack Ms Dorries for being out of touch with the public mood.
Her comments came as a fourth Labour MP was referred to Labour's internal disciplinary panel over his expenses claims.
Ian Gibson was revealed today to have used public money to pay for his daughter's London home — before selling it to her at a knock-down price.
Ms Dorries said that MPs were simply claiming a pot of money that they were told was effectively part of their salary and that it didn't matter what they spent it on.
Her remarks came the day after Tory MP Anthony Steen was forced to issue an apology after claiming that he was the victim of “jealousy” from his Devon constituents, who were envious of his large house.
At a lunchtime event in his constituency, Mr Cameron was asked why he had not sacked Tory grandees Sir Peter Viggers, who claimed for a “duck island”, Douglas Hogg, who claimed to clear his moat, and Mr Steen.
Mr Cameron said that he would kick out Mr Steen if he repeated his remarks.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ms Dorries complained that the relentless flow of disclosures was putting unbearable pressure on MPs.
She said: “What the Telegraph are executing is almost a McCarthy-style witch-hunt. I think people are seriously beginning to crack. The last day of parliament this week was, I would say, completely unbearable.”
Labour MP Stephen Pound today attacked Ms Dorries's remarks as “facile”, pointing out that the victims of McCarthyite witch-hunts were innocent. He said: “No MP is innocent. Even people who didn't claim are still complicit.”
William Lewis, editor of the Daily Telegraph, said: “To take what Ms Dorries says seriously is both laughable and embarrassing.”
Ms Dorries argued that MPs' expenses were an allowance that was part of their income.
She said that prior to her arrival in Parliament in 2005, Commons officials told her: “This pot of money has been awarded to you as an allowance. Our job here is to help you maximise that and get that out — by whatever means you can.”
Reader views (39)
Those who steal should be punished and NOT given a slap on the back of the hand, and those who allowed it, encouraged it and authorised it should be punished (aiding and abetting) by the same method.
It is theft, it is stealing, and if they can pay it back then they didn’t need to take it in the first place.
- D Garnett, Boston, Lincs. UK, 24/05/2009 08:01
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Ms Dorries is an absolute disgrace and afraid of anyone exposing her. I left a comment on her website criticising her. Surprise, surprise she didn't let it go live. Her site is full of sycophantic nonsense (probably written by her).
The woman bleats now about how cruel people are and blames everyone but herself. She even thinks the whole thing a conspiracy by the Barclay brothers to let in the BNP.
The rope around her neck is tightening. Nadine, resign now before you're hanged on this pillar you've created for yourself!
- Bernie, Knightsbridge, London, 22/05/2009 21:01
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The Telegraph has obviously done the British Public a great service by exposing these THIEVES.
However, in view of the upcoming Local, Euro, and (hopefully very soon) General Elections, I would like to call on the Telegraph (or any paper for that matter) to publish a "Clean List" so that we, the British Public know once and for all just who we CAN trust to run our Sceptered Isle!!!
- Darren, Ramsgate, Kent, UK, 22/05/2009 17:39
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Who was that senior Conservative Party source who said Ms Dorries comments were “completely wacky”?
It is important that we know which Party official is behaving in such a disgraceful way.
Off-the-record briefings that seek to denegrate anyone who disagrees with David Cameron are unacceptable.
Cameron is using the expenses scandal to strengthen his own centralised control of the Conservative Party.
His A-List of Nottinghill non-entities are already salvating at the prospect of taking secure seats from more independently minded "bed blockers" - our democracy will be the poorer if he succeeds.
The reforms he proposes are not going to improve our democracy.
To do that we need to get rid of the whips and central Party Control - this is not what is happening, indeed, David Cameron is actively seeking to strengthen his own central control.
MP's need to learn that they answer to their constituents, not to their Party.
David Cameron should not be threatening to kick out anyone - that is the responsibility of the local party and the electorate.
- Mark Horn, Bourne, UK, 22/05/2009 17:26
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Isn't it about time the people who refunded the M.P.'s inflated expenses were also brought to book and answer for their part in this fiasco and waste of tax payers money. They do not seem to be mentioned much!
- Jenna, Colchester Essex, 22/05/2009 17:06
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It is very simple, the electorate are angry and rightly so, why should we subsidise your second home when some of us cannot even afford a first one. Someone in the private sector that lives in say Manchester (main home), but decides to reside in London where their job is during the week has to buy and furnish their own property. Easy answer, just axe totally the 2nd home expenses and save the tax payer some money for a change.
- Andy, Manchester, UK, 22/05/2009 16:49
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Suicide? I can tell you, they will have to "Hire" people to come to thier funerals. Maybe this will stimulate thr Funeral business. There is light at the end of the tunnel.
- Ruckus (Ex-Pat), Myrtle Beach USA, 22/05/2009 16:25
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David Cameron is in serious danger of losing his grip on the party if he lets Nadine Dorries come out with these frankly unhinged comments. If Nadine Dorries hasn't got the decency to stand down, then David Cameron should deselect her before she does any more damage.
- Tom, Dulwich, UK, 22/05/2009 16:21
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Well, if it is a Witch Hunt--I think they found the "Witch" She is alive and well, complaining about how she is treated. It amazes me how these thieves think. The sooner these people are prosecuted, the sooner we can get on with Governing.
- Ruckus (Ex-Pat), Myrtle Beach USA, 22/05/2009 16:18
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Fears that a MP could commit suicide, I'll risk jail,
I will assist, just contact.
Far to many of them, Numbers could be reduced by AT least a third. The ACT Constitution that governs them needs URGENT ammending.
Regards, P J Woodhams.
- Peter J Woodhams, Berkeley, Glos, 22/05/2009 16:12
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"The last day of parliament this week was, I would say, completely unbearable.” - She reckons things are unbearable. I've friends in the forces who have to endure unbearable conditions out in Afghanistan, they get on with the job professionally and with pride. She is so out of touch, the monies which MP's have stole from the public purse could have been put to better use improving welfare/ moral for the brave lads and ladies out there. It's criminal to think that the same MP's decided it was too expensive to send out all the parcels of goodwill at Christmas time from members of the public to the service people out there whilst they were spending public money on extravagant pointless items on themselves. Shame on all MP's who did so!
- David Irvine, Edinburgh, 22/05/2009 15:50
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I thought that this woman was a principled individual - till now!
It really is quite nauseating to have to listen to or read such utter tosh.
Apart from the continuing stench emanating from Westminster, what were those most precious individuals at HM Revenue & Customs doing all these past years - surely they must have smelled more than one stinking rat stealing from the public purse?
- Phil Thomas, Chichester, West Sussex, 22/05/2009 15:47
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If an MP is jettisoned at the next election are they not entitled to a pension? How much is this?
When are we going to get the details on how much each MP pays out in salaries to family members?
Still plenty of fraud to find
- Inoff The Red, Sidcup, England., 22/05/2009 15:44
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Yet more evidence of the complete denial that many MPs seem to have. And yet what is actually happening to bring any of them to justice?
Paying back the money is hardly going to bring about change. These people should have lost their jobs immediately and been replaced by those with more honour and integrity, whilst the overhaul of the 'rules' takes place.
- Phillip, London, 22/05/2009 15:28
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Not sure about actual suicide but here is one Tory MP who is hell-bent on committing political suicide when Cameron gets round to her
- John, Andover England, 22/05/2009 15:27
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The idea that MP's had a "pot of money" as an allowance that SHOULD be claimed, has arisen too many times to be without foundation. The fact that so many whacky claims have been made, I believe, reinforces that assertion. It must have been very difficult to keep finding enough items to claim for in order to ensure that they claimed it all each year. If this is true, then I wish that the powers that be in Westminster would own up to it.
- Ian, Peterborough, UK, 22/05/2009 15:24
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If a thief is finally caught, not only are the illicit gains recovered, but the thief is punished appropriately in a court of law. Even if the thief owns up voluntarily, he/she is still subject to proceedings. It is of little use - and no example for the rest of us - if MPs are allowed to disappear back into their comfortable woodwork without any sort of comeback other than lying low until it has all blown over. Those who have misappropiated funds should suffer the consequences in court (as the rest of us would have to) instead of merely "standing down".
- Frances Raftery, Manchester, England, 22/05/2009 15:15
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Well done Cameron. These MP's need to be pulled into line and held to account. Do they not understand that MP's are now held in even lower esteem than estate agents and cold callers?? The last think we 'commoners' need to give MP's after helping themselves to our cash is tea and sympathy.
- Ian, dartford, 22/05/2009 15:14
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Am I cynical or is this statement a tactic in order to try and keep the press and the public off their case? Oh dear, if we keep on exposing them one of them might do themselves in and we will all feel guilty won't we????
Go ahead punks - I and the majority of the mugged tax-paying public have NO sympathy.
- Dave Bowman, london, 22/05/2009 15:12
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She wants to try running a small business, with all the red tape, tax, regulation etc. Being an MP is a breeze by comparison.If I do not perform I don't get paid!
- Rob B, Derby Derbyshire, 22/05/2009 15:06
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I was very nearly swayed by David Cameron's stance on expenses cheats but this lunatic woman's comments along with yetsredays comments by "Everyone's jealous of me Steen!" has finally conviced me that the Conservatives are just as bad as "Mugabe Brown and Nu Labour".
- Mike, Newport, UK, 22/05/2009 15:03
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Yet another set of promises they won't keep.
- Lezli, London / ENGLAND, 22/05/2009 14:34
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If Dorries annoyed with her bleat about thieves considering suicide I recommend that you read her blog where she sets out clearly the thieves' explanation of "within the rules".Within a week of arriving in Westminster MPs were initiated into the freemasonry ofthe "allowance"and how to get their hands on the loot.From that moment on the MP was complicit in the fraud even if s/he did not take part.
- P Doff, audierne france, 22/05/2009 14:24
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How the porkers are starting to squeal. If you behave like a pig there's a good chance you'll end up as bacon. Sorry but no sympathy whatsoever. I'd sooner save my compassion for the poor pensioners who freeze to death in the winter because they can't afford to keep themselves warm.
- Rick, Canterbury, 22/05/2009 14:10
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"IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR".
WHAT ABSOLUTE PIFFLE THIS WOMAN IS SPOUTING. SHE IS THE BIGGEST HYPOCRITE.
JOE PUBLIC IS SICK TO DEATH OF THE SPIN AND WAFFLE CHURNED OUT BY THESE DESPICABLE APOLOGIES FOR MP's.
WHERE ARE THE POLICE?
WHERE ARE THE HANDCUFFS?
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 22/05/2009 13:58
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The guilty must be repay the money they have fraudulently claimed. Those who do feel suicidal must be made sell the second homes which were bought and paid for with tax payers' money and the proceeds of the sale returned to the public purse. Once they have done that then they can do as they like.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 22/05/2009 13:54
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Welcome to the real world MPs. A little bit of pressure over your wrong doings and go flakey on us.
How will you cope when you have some real issues to deal with?
Pathetic!
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 22/05/2009 13:49
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The fees office could easily spot an MP who is contemplating suicide. Surely no MP would kill themselves before claiming the cost of the poison?
- Steve, Outer London, London, UK, 22/05/2009 13:05
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Oh please! What is this stupid woman blathering on about? MP's are too self serving to commit suicide!, anyway there's no money in it for them. I heard this whingebag on radio 4 this morning, she was pathetic. MP's have been caught stealing money from the tax payer, they have lied, they have abused what was a ridiculous system of allowances but even as ridiculous as it was it still had some basic rules which most of these greedy piggy's chose to ignore and the rubber stampers who were supposed to be policing it were so useless they might as well not have bothered to turn up for work (if you can call it that). WE want OUR money back, ALL of it, why should we pay taxes and deprive our own families of much needed cash for it to be stolen and used to featherbed well paid MP's and grandees for the enrichment of them and their families. Why haven't the police arrested these thieves? Dorries please go take a good run and jump into the Thames, preferably with a bag of cement tied around your ankle and take a few more greedy piggy's with you!
- Ed, Hants, 22/05/2009 12:39
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MPs were “beginning to crack” under the strain of waiting to see if they were identified in the affair. “There's a serious concern that this has got to a point now which is almost unbearable for any human being to deal with,”
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My heart bleeds for them! Don't do the crime if you can't take the time. I hope they all crack who lined their own pockets outside the law, and clear the decks for honest, decent people.
- Bryn Wayt, Heathfield, England, 22/05/2009 12:28
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I don't see any hounding going on. All that's happening is that we are now being told what they were doing with our money, in secret, while we trusted them as honorable members. Some are now dishonoured. They are the architects of their own downfall, and if any take more drastic action than resigning, that too is no-one's fault but their own.
Let us not forget, there are honorable members who did not need second homes, and who did not take the opportunity to enrich themselves by claiming for something that they did not need. Ther are others from further afield, who made modest claims for necessarily buying or renting a London home in which to live while parliament was sitting. These are the MPs we need, and no-one should want to see them condemned by association. It is a shame that some will doubtless lose their seats at the next election to a voter backlash against their party.
- Nigel, London, 22/05/2009 12:06
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"beginning to crack","suicide watch".Come on that's as farcical as the MP who said loosely to the effect,'If you don't pay my expenses my wife may divorce me'.I can't remember the exact wording but it was roughly that.But how sad they are with no strength of character to abstain from pick-pocketing the public purse.Plenty more could have done but didn't and only claimed for what the 'system' was originally set-up to do,adequate re-imbursement for parliamentary duties.They are the ones that need keeping and running our country.Investigations are not witch hunts!
- Tyburn Taylor, St Neots Cambs, 22/05/2009 11:44
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Look, because the public are powerless, anger and hate towards MPs is building stronger and stronger. No wonder many MPs are upset and afraid which could well lead to suicides.
The situation could so easily be diffused and relived by an immediate General Election. The public would feel empowered. MP’s fates would be democratically decided. No more fear, no more suspicion, closure and relief for everyone.
- Tony, Southampton, 22/05/2009 11:37
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Selling below market price is fraud, especially if it means a lower level of stamp duty has been paid!
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK, 22/05/2009 11:26
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Suicide is the remedy - the more the merrier.
Hundreds of MPs have been through the system and not one blew the whistle. Hundreds of civil servants knew about it and kept their traps shut.
MPs talk about wage restraint, some even forego wage increases, while secretly feathering their nests with a system of expenses that ordinary folk can only dream about.
And when rumbled what do they do? Throw their hands in the air in fake surprise - after all 'it's within the rules'.
These people have about as much morality as a toilet bowl - and like a toilet bowl they should be cleansed.
- Peter, Bristol UK, 22/05/2009 11:24
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Does anyone remember Dr. David Kelly, hounded to death by the Labour administration, who now feel under pressure?
How about the members of the public who are struggling to deal with the loss of jobs, businesses, savings, pensions and home as a direct consequence of the way this government has been governed for the last fourteen years?
How much sympathy do they feel for those they elected to represent them who abused their trust and instead spent their time enriching themselves at the public expense.
- Manny Goldstein, London, UK, 22/05/2009 11:23
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I'm sure MPs would commit suicide over this, but only if they could claim money back for the rope.
What a load of rubbish this Dorries woman is talking about. She should try living in the real world where most of us have had to bite the bullet and rein in our spending while those who claim to represent us get their pond ornaments and moats paid for, tax free.
- James, London, UK, 22/05/2009 10:57
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I do hope we won't be charged for the funerals!
- David, london UK, 22/05/2009 10:47
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I was sorry to hear that the hallowed halls of Westminster are hushed with a creeping portent of doom. Many MP’s are to be found in the MP’s subsidised watering hole drinking heavily, bleary eyed and fearful of the next revelation, who is next?
Would drowning in the Thames be preferable to the shame?
Will their home team deselect them?
Will a member/s of their local community beat the living crap out of them?
Horror of horror to cap it all the prospect of having to find a proper job, in a recession! The worry about their children’s education their children being bullied at school. Putting food on the table and maintaining their standard of living.
Bugger must be hard joining the real world; my old heart bleeds for them.
I hear suicide may be a possibility.
I can only hope, but then I’m in the real world!
- Taxfodder, UK Cambridge, 22/05/2009 10:46
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