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The Commons expenses scandal claimed the scalps of two women MPs today.
Tory Julie Kirkbride finally caved in to public anger over her use of taxpayers' money and announced she would step aside at the next election.
In yet another dramatic day at Westminster, Labour's Margaret Moran, who had claimed £22,500 for treating dry rot, also announced she would quit.
The decision by Bromsgrove MP Ms Kirkbride comes only five days after her husband, Andrew MacKay, was forced to step down. The couple came under fire when it emerged that more than £170,000 of Commons allowances had been used to simultaneously fund both their homes.
Ms Kirkbride made a last-ditch attempt to defend herself this morning and had planned to meet voters in her constituency to explain why she used expenses to pay her sister for secretarial work and her brother for childcare.
But as the depth of public feeling against her became clear, she cancelled the visit and decided to quit after a phone conversation with Tory leader David Cameron. Ms Kirkbride is the fifth Tory MP to be forced out by the scandal following Anthony Steen, Sir Peter Viggers, and Douglas Hogg, as well as her husband.
Within minutes of Ms Kirkbride's announcement, Ms Moran followed suit. The Labour MP for Luton South was heavily criticised for claiming for treating dry rot in her designated second home in Southampton — 100 miles from her constituency.
Although she repaid the money, a Labour disciplinary panel had been due to decide her fate and TV personality Esther Rantzen had indicated she would challenge her.
In a fresh blow to the Commons fees office, which has been accused of colluding with MPs, Ms Moran revealed that officials had now admitted that she had been given incorrect advice on her claims for her second home.
But in recent days it was Ms Kirkbride who became the focus for public anger over the MPs' expenses saga. The 48-year-old backbencher was tipped over the edge by revelations that she had used £50,000 of public money to extend her home and build a new bedroom for her brother Ian. She defended the spending by claiming that her brother often looked after her eight-year-old son while she was in Parliament.
In a radio interview this morning, she blamed her problems on the difficulty of juggling the pressures of being a working mother. “Until this week's furore, it didn't cross my mind that I had done anything wrong,” she told Radio 5 Live.
However, MPs cannot claim for au pairs or nannies under Commons rules and Ms Kirkbride faced a backlash from working mothers who get no state help for childcare.
In a letter to Mr Cameron today, Ms Kirkbride said that the support from some of her supporters in Bromsgrove had been “very humbling” but she did not want her case to undermine the Tory party ahead of next week's European and local elections. She added that her decision was also made to “take into account the effects on my family”.
Mr Cameron replied: “Thank you for being so frank and candid about your decision to stand down at the coming election. I know this was a very hard decision for you but I completely understand why you have decided to do so.
“You have been under enormous pressure in the last two weeks. Sometimes the focus of the public spotlight can be unbearably intense, as you described graphically to me on the phone this morning. I understand that the pressure has now become more than you can bear.”
The Standard revealed this week Ms Kirkbride employs her sister Karen as a £12,000-a-year secretary working from home in Dorset, more than 100 miles from both the MP's constituency and Westminster.
Ms Kirkbride's fate was a crucial test of Mr Cameron's leadership and today he faced criticism that he had failed to order the MP to go. The Tory leader had publicly supported her, while insisting that she would at some stage have to explain herself to her voters.
Cabinet minister Ed Balls today said family commitments could never be an excuse for breaking the rules and declared Mr Cameron had not been as tough as Gordon Brown in dealing with his MPs. He said not a single Tory had been suspended from the party despite the stories about duck ponds, moats and tree inspections.
Mr Balls also said that Mr Cameron's words had not been matched by his actions. “On the Labour side, two people have had the whip withdrawn and four people are going before the NEC process. On the Conservative side, I don't think the whip has been withdrawn from anybody,” he said.
People living Julie Kirkbride's Bromsgrove constituency expressed delight today that their MP would be stepping down.
Many said they were “disgusted” at Ms Kirkbride's behaviour and said she had done the right thing in standing down.
Mark Spittle, 44, said: “I am very pleased that she has quit. This has been a total scandal. The general public is disgusted with her and with all of them.”
Sheila Warner, 54, who has lived in Bromsgrove for 23 years, said: “I think it's the right thing for her to do. What she was doing was morally unjustifiable. It may have been within the rules but it was not morally justified.
“She has not faced her constituents at all so I think she has done the right thing in stepping down. I am very angry indeed at all of the MPs.”
And in Luton, residents gave an equally resounding positive reaction to their MP's departure.
Amy Clarke, 19, said: “Of course she should go. They are spending taxpayers' money on stuff they shouldn't be.
“It should be going on the NHS or childcare, or something worthwhile. Her standing down is a small price to pay for what she has done. If you are in a position of authority you should do the right thing.”
Reader views (61)
Cameron had his chance and messed up
- Graham, Cornwall, 29/05/2009 21:22
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"the honourable"? my butt
- Simon, sydney australia, 29/05/2009 01:03
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Rotten to the core and beyond rehabilitation. Even when caught still no apology only deflection and attempted spin. A new model of democracy please - no more egotists, cronies, criminals and "yes sir/madam" party journeymen/women.
- Mr Pastry, Brisbane, 29/05/2009 00:50
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This list of diatribes against MPs is becoming over-the-top. Yes a lot of MPs have used the system ( but after being encouraged when they arrived). This system is going to be cleaned up . I haven't seen many comments on the good guys and gals in Parliament who claimed nil or very little.
How many of you have been blameless throughout your lives ?
- Sally70, Bedford, 28/05/2009 22:39
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As an expat living abroad to teach English in a country that is rife with corruption, I have always been immensely proud of the honesty of the British and have always sustained this with my now countrymen. I now find that I have to eat my own words over this disgraceful and shocking behaviour and really am so disgusted with the feeble excuses of these toads..the British are courageous, so have the courage to admit what you've done,and get off the taxpayers' back.....
- Valerie Brockwell, belluno italy, 28/05/2009 22:31
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As someone campaigning ahead of the local elections, it is quite clear that the public expect nothing less than action on this fraud.
- Sue Doughty, Guildford, 28/05/2009 21:58
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The public are baying for blood,demanding that they be sacked without a golden handshake. It just won't happen unless there is a PROTEST MARCH to the House of Commons.Come dressed as Guy Fawkes and don't forget a burning torch.
- Frank, Bristol, 28/05/2009 21:47
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Cameron has disappointed... he should have sacked her immediately. Am so disappointed in him now, he has demonstrated he is all mouth and no action, same as Brown. Will now vote UKIP. I want out of the EU and their silly PC laws and can no longer trust labour or Conservative candidates. I want a tough leader with integrity.... (here's hoping)
- Lin, LONDON ENGLAND, 28/05/2009 18:00
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These people should be prosecuted. Handing back money and/or resigning is an admission of guilt.
- Ian, Ni, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, 28/05/2009 18:00
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Sadly, there are heaven knows how many families in this country juggling raising children and trying to work at the same time - myself included. However, I,nor any other normal taxpayer, can approach TAX PAYERS bank account and have money to build an extension to house for a "carer" never mind to add an extra room to fit a growing family in. This £50,000.00 taken from taxpayers money MUST be repayed. The extension is for her familys SOLE benefit, has nothing to do with be able to do her job and has increased the value of the propery PAID FOR OUT OF TAXPAYERS MONEY.
At the end of the day, she took on the job, knowing what it entailed. Like any other normal family in this country with children, scarifices have to be made. I can not reclaim anywhere my child benefit cost when I work late as none of my carers are "registered" minders so everything comes out of my hard earned and tax earnings.
The thing that has gone totally wrong for all present MP's is that they NEVER THOUGHT their expenses would be exposed. As a result, they milked everything. They knew what they wer doing was WRONG,IMMORAL. However, they thought they were untouchable, elitest, above the people they were supposed to represent.
Does not them paying back money suddenly prove the point? They are educated poeple, so no excuses.
They should be sacked immediatley. Acomplete investigation my HMRC conducted and all money with interest repaid.
- Tm, London, 28/05/2009 17:43
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Goodbye..wont be missed....off now to the Hoiliday Home with all the other MP's on ' Crook Island'; no doubt.
- Clif, London, 28/05/2009 17:38
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So - she and a few others have said they will not be standing at the next election: to all intents and purposes these now defunct MP's will be virtually non-operational and probably would not dare to hold their usual constituent "clinics" for obvious reasons. Offending MP's should be sacked immediately, by-elections should take place so that voters have an honest and active MP - and not an impotent one for the next year,
- Alan, Essex, 28/05/2009 17:34
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About time lady!...these greedy MPs...you need to drag them kicking and screaming out of the door even when they know they've done wrong!...Well the gravy train's over!!!
- Ali Sichilongo, London, 28/05/2009 17:30
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#Nathan, London
It wont wash, Nathan. He didn't buy the wreaths, neither did he claim for them. His PA bought them and claimed for them on his behalf. He reimbursed her for the cost. Try again.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 28/05/2009 17:25
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If standing down at the next election are they going to get golden hand shakes???and high pensions,if it was ordenary joe public fiddling expences no dout they would be charged with fraud.How about the civil servants they gave the payments,were they getting a cut as well
- Brummie, birmingham uk, 28/05/2009 16:54
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Top post Kerry from Purley. Dave almost had me believing he was sincere in what he was saying. Hypocrites through and through. I hope Sir Fred Goodwin releases a statement pointing out how disgusted he is with the MP's behaviour would be the cherry on the cake for me and would sum up 2009.
Might aswell give UKIP the chance of saving us a few bob by getting us out of europe, kill that gravy train and kill the nasty human rights legislation killing our freedoms.
- Gary, brentwood, 28/05/2009 16:52
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Ed Balls has some nerve.
This is the man who tried to claim for a Poppy Wreath. He had his claim turned down.
Perhaps he can explain his actions to the living brave men and women soldiers.
- Nathan, LONDON, 28/05/2009 16:51
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David me ole son you messed up here, you did a Gordy and made lots of noise whilst doing nowt. She should have been sacked, if you were to back up your aggressive comments.
The damage these women along with Smithy have done for females in politics is my concern now, I used to wrongly believe women had more morals than men it seems they just like to play the child as a trump card maing them a million times worse. In this case it was never going to wash. SS comes to mind, spoilt and selfish, thanks ladies for nothing
- Ge, Land of the free, 28/05/2009 16:40
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Not for a moment excusing Ms Kirkbride, but there is no doubt an agenda exists in Bromsgrove, also what about the "greater" culprits, that sit in the Cabinet ?
Lets not forget................
- Brian Hughes, Llandudno. North Wales. U.K., 28/05/2009 16:39
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Another one down let the stream turn into a river and never stop until the water is clear
- Richard Edmunds, Rayleigh Essex, 28/05/2009 16:31
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How can these MP's possibly be allowed to dictate their own terms?
If they have knowingly been fiddling the system, which they have, then it should be Instant Dismissal, not a case of "I won't be standing at the next Election"
If found guilty of gross misconduct and theft then they should forego any pension rights etc to which they would have been entitled. They should most certainly have a thorough and vigorous police investigation, sent to trial in the same manner as the majority of us would be subjected to, and imprisoned as other MP's have been in the past!
- Mrs, London UK, 28/05/2009 16:30
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beware evryone! So this lying theiving little toad has been pushed into standing down (not resigning in utter shame please note), however, most of her constituency Tories are still backing her, as do the Slimy Tory bloggers. The Tories only want you to go, if you get caught. Even Dodgy Dave is still praising her for her "Honesty" when he should have effected a citizens arrest and marched the dreadful little crook down to the local nick!
- Kerry, Purley, 28/05/2009 16:27
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The most sick-making thing is the letter David Cameron wrote to her when he accepted her resignation. He said he didn't ask her to go, she resigned and then he praised her for doing that. He then proceeded to wax lyrical about what she had done for the party and her constituents in the 12 years the Tories have been in opposition. He then had the nerve to tell her she still had a lot to offer the party, and that he understood how hard it had been for her to combine her job as an MP and her role as a mother. Not once did he mention the money she and her husband had systematically leeched from the taxpayers for years. How the hell does he think the rest of us manage, without nannies and carers paid for on expenses. How could he possibly condemn her, when he has spent the last 8 years creaming off his mortgage interest on his second home from the taxpayer - £1,700 per month x 12 x 8 = £163,200. That does not include the utility bills and the care of the wisteria. Get into the real world, Mr Cameron, and find out how the other 75% live. Pass the sick bucket, this hypocritical excuse for a leader and his fellow troughers make me feel ill.
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 28/05/2009 16:13
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The longer she, or any of the miscreants stay the more damage it does to David Camerons leadership. If they are going they must go now and bi-elections asap. They have to be seen to be paying back the excesses claimed. This shouldnt let them off the hook from prsecution if evidence can be found.Cameron should not be giving any leeway to Balls to make derogatory remarks. Come David get out the hatchet!
- Glynis Miller, Folkestne uk, 28/05/2009 16:11
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The longer she, or any of the miscreants stay the more damage it does to David Camerons leadership. If they are going they must go now and bi-elections asap. They have to be seen to be paying back the excesses claimed. This shouldnt let them off the hook from prsecution if evidence can be found.Cameron should not be giving any leeway to Balls to make derogatory remarks. Come David get out the hatchet!
- Glynis Miller, Folkestne uk, 28/05/2009 16:11
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"Honourable" members? There seems to be precious little honour in this sordid affair
First they move mountains trying to keep the whole thing under wraps. When that fails they say they will publish a "redacted" (ie sanitised) version. Thanks to a public-spirited House-of-Commons employee, the complete scandal is exposed.
Those found out so far have tried to hide behind the rules, blame the system, or in fact offer up any mealy mouthed excuse, when the honourable course would have been to accept responsibility and resign with immediate effect.
Instead we see them hanging on until total humiliation becomes inevitable. Even then they want to remain until the next election when they will no doubt receive further taxpayer-funded largesse.
Those with a scintilla of honour would go now!
- John, Leatherhead, UK, 28/05/2009 16:11
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ED BALLS be careful it seems to me you are not in the clear, as there is a lot more to come out, so do not make it into a (Brown is best)contest as it seems the public are out for blood and the Labour is a clear favourite,any bets on it
- John Patrick Green, nottingham, 28/05/2009 15:50
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One hopes that because they resign (with hefty payoffs and pensions) these people are not going to be let off the hook as far as fraud investigation and prosecutions go. They are the hypocrites who call for the blood of DHSS fraudsters - they should be made to realise that they are no better.
- Neil45, Gloucestershire, England., 28/05/2009 15:50
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This whole ripping-off-the-taxpayer-dodge is sickening.
Boris Johnson gets 250k for a newspaper column, on top of his 137k salary as Mayor Of London.
How, then, can he justify claiming another eighty thousand pounds in expenses?
- Steve Bullard, Bow, 28/05/2009 15:48
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What we want in the commons – no, what we NEED running the country, first and foremost, are PEOPLE who focus first on their responsibilities to the taxpayer.
Bringing up a child properly is SO important, it should never be diluted/multitasked/time managed with such vital roles.
Perhaps the best solution for all concerned is for women that are past childbearing age only need apply?
This, of course would then dramatically reduce expense claims for childminders, extra rooms, disposable nappies, etc.etc.etc.
- Darius Midwinter, London UK, 28/05/2009 15:48
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Excellent news that both these women are going to stand down.
An extra bonus is that we will also be spared the sight of Esther Rantzan at the hustings.
A win-win situation
- Ian Watson, Cumbria, 28/05/2009 15:47
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IF SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE NOT JAILED FOR THEIR CRIMES AGAINST THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY, THE TAXPAYERS SHOULD STOP PAYING THEIR TAXES. THAT WOULD BE A SURE WAY TO STOP THIS WHITEHALL NONSENSE.
IT IS A POWER THE TAXPAYERS HAVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT WANT US TO HAVE......I WONDER WHY?????????
- Paul, LONDON, 28/05/2009 15:42
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Let's get something straight here. None of them are resigning - they are all retiring at the General Ellection with all their benefits intact. What is needed is for them to lose all their payouts and additional pension rights (including any they may vote themselves in the coming months) and their pensions must not be index-linked.
- Charlie Puckett, Hounslow, Middlesex, 28/05/2009 15:29
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See ya!!!! but please, before you go...put your greedy hand back in your pocket and pay the money back. Thanks.
- Alan, East London, 28/05/2009 15:29
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“Thank you for being so frank and candid" coos the Tory leader of JuLIE Kirkbride. The fact is, she's been neither frank nor candid - just waited till push came to shove before employing desperate measures in search of typically self-serving wriggle-room.
Brits love knocking the French - but if this were France politicians would be guillotined for getting up to the kind of public deception she and her husband have been caught red-handed in...!!!
- Joanna Jay, Walton on Thames, 28/05/2009 15:17
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The apparent unwillingness of Sir Paul Stephenson to carry out his Legal and Moral duty as Commissioner of The Metropolitan Police is doing immeasurable and grave damage to Democracy in this country.
He has been presented with Prima Facie evidence by The Daily Telegraph and yet 3 weeks later, still no arrest warrants for errant Members of Parliament have been issued.
I think Sir Paul's position is now untenable and he should strongly consider tendering his resignation with immediate effect.
- Neil Wilson, Blackpool UK, 28/05/2009 15:12
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Surely we should look at replacing the fee's office as this is clearly at fault by allowing the payments to be made in the first instance. And yet all we hear is about the MP's
- Lester Ferguson, Suffolk uk, 28/05/2009 15:07
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What took her so long?!
- Sandy, Ealing, UK, 28/05/2009 15:02
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HMRC are not amused.No doubt she will have to pay back a lot of this money plus Interest plus a hefty Fine.She might have been able to fool the Voters but she won't fool the Taxman.
- Frank, Bristol, 28/05/2009 14:59
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So this cheat is under pressure, my heart bleeds. Pressure is trying to pay bills while on benefit, having an elderly mother with cancer who's been taken to hospital with suspected heart attack; pressure is not having a car so we can go to see her nor having money for public transport. Pressure is being ill and not being able to get any help. Pressure is having no savings to pay bills, pressure is living in dread each time the post comes. Pressure is people having nowhere to live, being abused, beaten up. These MP's make me sick.
They bleat about not 'realising they had done wrong' and treating us as if we're idiots. They only bother with us when they want our vote. They are parasites. They claim more for food than we get to live on. I would like David Cameron and all the others to see what pressure REALLY is. They haven't a clue, mindless stupid people who can't understand why we don't understand. They're pathetic, they're liars and cheats.
- Clare, Essex Uk, 28/05/2009 14:58
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Lets hope more follow suit....but I dont think so....they've resigned because they have something bigger to hide.
- Rosie, watford, 28/05/2009 14:52
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To stand down is not 'Falling on their swords', the gallant way to do it. They will still stand to gain renumberation from the taxpayer. I beleive its HALF their
wages.
So in this couples case thats 60K+ of our taxes. Their laughing all the way to the bank for another year.
They should be forced to resign, NOW, not next year!!!
- P. C., rainham. essex., 28/05/2009 14:44
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WELL THANK GOD FOR THAT THE GAUL OF THAT MONEY GRABBING WOMAN, AT LAST THE PENNY HAS DROPPED, THERE IS SALVATION AFTER ALL, WE FINALY MADE HER REALISE SHE WAS NOT WANTED, NOW THAT LEAVES US A FEW MORE HUNDRED TO GO, WE MUST KEEP THIS MOMENTUM UP TO RID THIS COUNTRY OF THESE GREEDY PEOPLE WE OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE WEEK POOR AND DISABLED WHO CANT STAND UP TO THESE PARASITES .
- James Fennessey, london, 28/05/2009 14:30
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Good news. At this rate, they'll all be gone by Christmas. Hurrah!
- Austen, London, 28/05/2009 14:25
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The problem with Ms Kirkbride's position is that she claimed her brothers free accommodation at her constituency home is offset by him helping to look after her 8 year old son. At the same time she admits that she is also paying her sister £12000 a year to act as her secretary. It now transpires that she is also using taxpayers money to pay the wife of her local Tory party Chairman to act as her full time secretary and also employs his daughter as a full time nanny to her son. Clearly both stories cannot be right. I have no doubt that her experienced politically well connected husband has led her astray when it comes to claiming expenses which, in the cold light of day, do not stand up to close scrutiny. Is a divorce now on the cards?. After all she is a relatively young, attractive and highly employable journalist he, on the other hand, is a much older old school Tory with a very limited future outside of politics.
- Pat, South London, 28/05/2009 14:22
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It aooears that there are even more of cameron's fellows on the make and on the fiddle than those of Gordon's or Mr Clegg's combined.
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 28/05/2009 14:21
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Stand down at the next election!!! They should stand down immediately and have a bi-election; not exploit the system further by gaining 12 months salary and a "kickout bonus" for loosing the seat.
- Keith, Bath, 28/05/2009 14:13
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Stand down next year.
She would never have been re-elected so where is the story. Normally a resignation letter means bye. Nothing has changed. Business as usual for the dirty rotten scoundrels, does she still claim for her sister work retreat? Extensions? Multiple houses? Baby sitters? Photo sessions in fields of straw? Resignation should mean good bye
David sack the lot of them now
- Ge, Republic of Cornwall, 28/05/2009 14:09
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She is nothing more then a common a thief. She should be jailed.
- Peter Collins, London, 28/05/2009 14:08
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I think they should ALL stand down.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 28/05/2009 14:07
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Why don't you go NOW? And before you leave, empty your handbag, and pay back all the money that you and your equally thieving husband have stolen from the public. If you relinquish the pension to which neither of you has contributed anyhing, it might help repay some of your illgotten gains. Trash like you is totally superfluous in any walk of life. GET OUT,
- Lezli, London / ENGLAND, 28/05/2009 14:04
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4 new people on the dole from next year. Julie, her crook husband, her brother and her sister. Cannot imagine any of this lot will find a job (and certainly not a cushy one like this!)
- Electra M, London, 28/05/2009 14:03
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Why are they waiting for the "Next Election"? Why don't they just to the decent thing and stand down from now and pay back the expenses...not good enough
- Sarah, London, 28/05/2009 13:57
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I wonder if Dave had "a conversation" with her?
- John Francis, East Grinstead, UK, 28/05/2009 13:56
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This is terrible news. We've had the Hamilton's now we'll also have the Wintertons and Mackay-Kirkbrides on every TV show and pantomime. What I don't understand is how Julie, who had to keep her address secret from over-zealous male admirers, managed to spend so much Tax-payers money on glamour photos.
- A Knight, Farnboro England, 28/05/2009 13:54
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If her principal concern had been for her local supporters, she would not have betrayed them in the first place. Good riddance.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire, 28/05/2009 13:47
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David should still sack her and husband then ensure the police interview both bonny and clyde. Most of all ensure she does not claim another penny in expences.
- Gary, brentwood, 28/05/2009 13:46
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What a smarmy letter. Obviously hoping to be crawling in back under the door at some time. Couldn't face her constituents though.
- Jilly, London, 28/05/2009 13:44
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Too right. What took her so long?
- Dom, London, 28/05/2009 13:40
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None of them must receive "golden handshakes" when they do step down. They are benefit cheats and must not be financially rewarded for their crimes. They have already cheated tax payers out of hundreds of thousands of pounds and to receive severance pay would be adding insult to injury. I am delighted to see the arrogant smirk wiped off her face at last.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 28/05/2009 13:40
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resigned? You mean David Cameron called her to say please take the jump before I push you! Can we have all the money back now please you greedy woman
- Ag, London Village, 28/05/2009 13:36
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