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More Labour MPs rush to quit as Hoon apologises for claim
Nicholas Cecil, Deputy Political Editor2 Jun 2009
Sleaze-tainted David Chaytor today joined the rollcall of shamed MPs standing down at the next election.
The Labour MP for Bury North, who claimed almost £13,000 on a mortgage that did not exist, said he would quit after talks with Labour chiefs and local party officials.
Two former ministers who were not under pressure from the expenses scandal also said they were joining the exodus of Labour MPs. Children's minister Beverley Hughes and former Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said they wanted more time with their families. Another Labour backbencher, Jim Devine, may be deselected after being referred to the party's “star chamber” over allegations he submitted receipts from a firm that may not exist.Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon was dragged deeper into the maelstrom today after admitting wrongly claiming nearly £400 for household bills. He apologised, but already faces accusations that he “flipped” his designated second home.
Gordon Brown has defended Mr Hoon, but his position appeared weakened today as the Prime Minister prepares to reshuffle his Cabinet.
Mr Hoon, defence secretary until 2005, lived in a grace-and-favour home in Admiralty House from 2002 to 2006, while claiming the second home allowance on his Derbyshire home and also renting out a house in Courtney Street, south London, for which he had used the allowance before 1997.
After being demoted from commons leader to Europe minister, he left the grace-and-favour residence and bought a London town house which he designated his second home.
He ended up claiming on two properties at the same time — the London house and his constituency home on which he had paid bills a year in advance, according to the Daily Telegraph.
“There was an entirely inadvertent overlap,” he said. “As soon as this was brought to my attention I repaid £384 for the additional months of TV licence, British Gas homecare agreement and home insurance, covering the months remaining in the year after I moved. I unreservedly apologise.”
Mr Hoon has said HM Revenue & Customs confirmed no capital gains was due on the sale in 2006 of the Courtney Street house on which he is said to have made a £300,000 profit.
London minister Tony McNulty may face the axe over his expense claims. The Telegraph alleged the MP for Harrow East claimed more than £2,000 for three bills from accountancy firm HW Fisher.
Mr McNulty's spokesman said he had declared the accountancy work as a benefit in kind, on which tax was paid at 40 per cent.
Reader views (9)
Another suspect Plod should be interviewing.
- Albert Hall, hove england, 02/06/2009 21:25
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Hoon next please.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire, 02/06/2009 17:47
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Has any MP so far made an accounting error and underclaimed on expenses ? Funny that.
I am fed up with everyone "strenouasly claiming no wrong- doing". Are they all so stupid on money matters ?
- Michael, Kensington, UK, 02/06/2009 17:30
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The reason they're hanging on is because they get a pay off of a years salary if they stand down at the next election. They intend to milk the system to the full to the very last minute!
- Chris, Brighton, England., 02/06/2009 16:45
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Why hasn't Gordon Brown referred 'Bleary' Hazel, 'Buff' Hoon and Shorty McNulty to his so called "Star Chamber"?? It seems that only the minions in the Labour Party are required to explain their actions & then walk the plank. At least Cameron has asked his investigation committe to lookat ALL Conservative claims. He's even referred himself to the committe for review of his own claims.
- Malcolm, London, 02/06/2009 16:41
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All shamed MPs caught stealing should be sacked with no pay-offs. Not left to resign and still receive a salary for their wrong doing.
- Goggs, London, 02/06/2009 15:53
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K Lee is absolutely correct in asking why the wrongdoers are still in their jobs. It's disgusting that this bunch of freeloaders are going to carry on collecting their salaries until an election, when they will walk out with another bag of loot from the public purse.
They have no credibility as MP's and should be dismissed for gross misconduct, but let's not hold our breath!!
- Scotty, Cambridge UK, 02/06/2009 15:08
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Its all beginning to be boring. Why dont we just do what the French did, when the bad apples appeared and the public had had enough. They set up the guillotine in the Place de Concorde and cleansed their collective conscience. Can I suggest Trafalgar Square or should it be the ballot box on Thursday?
- Bondy, london, 02/06/2009 14:59
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Why are these two-faced politicians with their dishonest claims not sacked? They are not respected and trusted by the public, yet still holding high places in the Governmment. Brown's mate Hoon should go, not another promotion in the pipe line!
- K Lee, Cheshunt, UK, 02/06/2009 10:51
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