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Keens have not lived at main home for a year, say neighbours
Benedict Moore-Bridger and Nicholas Cecil25.06.09
It looks like a haven for squatters. Yet this house, with boarded up windows and an overgrown garden is said to be the primary home of Labour MP couple Ann and Alan Keen.
The pair, dubbed “Mr and Mrs Expenses” for billing the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds for a second home within walking distance to Westminster, today faced calls to resign after the shocking state of their constituency house in Brentford was revealed.
Hounslow Council is threatening to seize the house, the Keens' designated “main” home, on the grounds that it has not been occupied for more than six months.
The revelations raised questions over how often the Keens stay at the property and why they need a taxpayer-funded second home when both their constituencies are within easy commuting distance to Parliament.
Commons rules state an MP's second home should be where he or she spends the least nights.
The couple have claimed almost £140,000 over four years for their the £750,000 waterside flat on the South Bank. They bought it in 2002. The complex has its own swimming pool, hot tub, gym and concierge service.
Hounslow Council has written to the couple, giving them 28 days to prove the end-of-terrace Brentford house has not been abandoned and explain how they intend to bring the property back into occupation. Sources at the council reportedly said the Keens had not lived in the house for seven months following a disagreement with builders carrying out renovation work.
The Keens insisted the property is not empty and that they will move back in soon once the work is done. Mrs Keen said the home was being “substantially renovated” at their own expense and their representatives were in the process of giving the borough details.
She said: “It is categorically untrue to say that our home is an empty dwelling. As soon as this work is completed, we will be back at home in Brentford, where we have lived for the past 22 years.”
But some neighbours said the Keens had not been seen there for more than a year. Jo Davidson, a 50-year-old nurse who lives opposite, said: “No one has seen them at all. They haven't been here for the last year. I think they should resign.”
Kate Lightup, 27, a teacher who also lives opposite, added: “I have never seen them here. It is only 27 minutes to central London from here on the train. They could do that, or even get taxis — that would cost less.”
Another, who asked not to be named, said no one in the street wanted them back. He said: “They are so unpopular here. They started this work about nine months ago, then sacked the builders and haven't been back — and they won't come back. They know no one wants them to.”
Neighbour Jim Thomson said Mr Keen came occasionally to inspect the house. He said: “He was here two weeks ago on a site visit, but that's it.”
An online petition has also been set up to demand that Mrs Keen, the health minister and MP for neighbouring Brentford and Isleworth, and Mr Keen, MP for Feltham and Heston, resign.
Council officials have already visited the three-bedroom house to take pictures.A spokesman said: “We have contacted the Keens with regard to their property. As with all such cases, they have one month to respond.”
Keith Dickens, Hounslow's empty property officer, said: “We expect it to be sorted within three to six months. If they fail to do that we will use the powers to bring in a management order.”
As well as claiming mortgage interest of £2,600 a month in second home allowances, the couple have claimed maintenance including £50 to have the sound on their Bose home cinema system reconfigured and £88 to have the lavatory unblocked.
Reader views (47)
there is no reason that these people should profit from second homes.give them what ever home they want when elected .but when they leave office the house belongs to the state to be reused by the next MP or sold off thus making money for the taxpayer simple isn't it ?
- Andy Holt, bury lancashire
Benedict Moore-Bridger and Nicholas Cecil must have had a crystal ball when they wrote this for the London Evening Standard yesterday. The squatters have moved in.
See http://the-red-rag.blogspot.com/2009/06/haven-for-squatters-or-first-home-for.html
- Ollie Cromwell, England
I live a few doors away from the Keen "home" and they have not lived in Brentford for a few years. They have conned their constituents and should be removed from office as soon as possible. I don't think anyone would miss them.
- Yvonne D'Alpra, Brentford England
The Keen(on your Money)s have been known locally as 'Mr & Mrs Expenses' for years - long before the current outrage over MP's fiddles! Yet a certain type of person keeps on voting for them both. Masochists presumably.
- John O'Connor, Brentford, Middx
My friend from over the channel, Pere Duchesne, says we should march on Parliament and depose these trough living toads.
The cheek, the blatant greed of these disgusting characters, out, out, out! Don't think there will be another election either. Brown will do everything in his power to avoid one. Trust me, I've lived through a similar situation.
- Wayne Barnes, London
You'd think with the salary the two of them pull in annually between them, least forgetting expenses, they could have bought a house in Brentford and FREEDED the council house up for someone who doesn't earn enough for a front door, never mind the building.
Brentford is nothing compared to where their "second home is." The pittance they are paying rent on it makes me sick considering thousands in the Hounslow Borough awaiting a proper form of home. Perhaps they are waiting to buy it from the council for a large REDUCED ammount.
I, like plenty more living around them, travel day in day out into the heart of London to do our jobs. We even work late and can still manage to be home within the hour!!!!
Why should the normal public live in fear of being prosecuted for the most minor of things - dropping litter - putting rubbish out on the wrong day when MP's are a law upon themselves.
VOTERS, THIS IS YOR HARD EARNED TAX AND COUNCIL TAX MONEY THEY ARE TAKING TO LINE THIER POCKETS. WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO VOTE FOR THEM???? THEIR FIRST PRIORITY IS THEMSELVES - NOT YOU. REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU NEXT GO TO VOTE PLEAE.
- Tm, London
They all seem to be guilty but the labour group just seems to excel in scamming the public.
- James Andrews, sacramento, California USA
This is outrageous and people like this are public thieves when they should be public servants.They should resign immeaditely and recieve no pension or future earnings as they have been ripping of the taxepayer for years.Its a disgrace and every penny of this home allowance must be paid back.these m/ps have committed fraud , blatantly lied and abused the expences system.Let the police start a full enquiry with effect immeadiately.
- Roderick Heffernan, england
Inland Revenue must now be poring over these parasites and not too soon.This country is dying on its knees due to individuals squeezing the public coffers for all its worth.Just think! this is YOUR money. No wonder we dont have a decent NHS or infrastructure theyre creaming it off.We work the longest hours in Europe and for what?. No wonder Joe public is angry.
- Tony ,Essex, Harlow,UK
C O N ! ! !
- Public, london
False declarations and no value to the taxpayer, prosecution is a necessity thus saving the taxpayers the cost of their severance pay and their inflation proof pensions.
- Hugh, Middx
these expenses are crying out for a police and Inland Revenue investigation.
- Very Very Very Angry Of The Home Counties, Home Counties
No wonder nuLabour is so soft on crime, we now understand their ability to empathise with the criminal classes.
- Frank, Dorchester Dorset
Prosecute!
- Fresh, London
I think the Keens are wonderful. They can spend my wages any day. I might not live in their constituency but those who do must vote for them, no questions asked. Alan even sent me his autograph and didn't put the stamp down to expenses. Alan and Ann love me and that makes me so happy. I wish I could have their babies.
- Robin, Southall
Their next home should be a prison. It just never ends, and NO the politicians still do not get it. General election NOW....
- Vic, London
The Keens are a disgrace and should resign immediately.
- Dhan Raj, basildon
You'd think any of the MPs would have learnt a lesson by now, but they are so thick they still seem to think the public are stupid! I urge everyone to vote for an Independent MP at the next general election. Not only will it cause total mayhem, but not one of these slimballs will have a safe seat in the House of Conmen!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
How many more reasons do we need to get rid of Labour?
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants
What do you really think will happen to this couple? NOTHNG. And it has already been pointed out that people will still vote for these criminals. Gordon Brown has proved himself to be spineless and the greed of the politicians will not be abated as they know they are untouchable. Their shameless behaviour disgusts me.
- Goggs, London
It's amazing what is still crawling out from under the parliamentary stones! Sack the lot of them and hold a new election with all of them banned from standing again.
- Norcot, Oakham
£50 to have the sound adjusted on their Bose system.
For some reason this gets up my nose more than reading about them stealing £140,000 of our money. I suppose it's because it says it all about their mentality.
How about an MP's expenses in future coming out of local council tax instead of central taxes? This would then mean at least the people voting for these spongers would at least pick up the tab. Perhaps they would be less likely to vote for them then?
- Stephen, London
If not in Court, get them to make a sworn affadavit and then test it for truth. Lying is not criminal but a sworn affadivit is, i think.Should not be difficult or take long.
Next stage can be final one way or other.
- Gordonbay, London and Cape Town
A "primafacie" case of fraud which the police should investigate. Failure to do so will confirm what many people now believe - that the rule of law applies to everyone except politicians.
- Tim Davidson, Newport, Wales
What an absolutely disgusting pair of scroungers! These two vultures remind me of George Orwell’s book. ‘Animal Farm’. “Some are more equal than others”. Come the revolution these two will be first up against the wall. Roll on the Election! Way to go labour!
- Mel Barrows., Tenerife. Canary Islands.
They people must be jailed. No soft open prison option either. They must do hard time for this. Plain and simple
- Michael, Finchley, London
The system is rotten, and beyond repair! I think that politicians will not be able to rebuild trust, I think it is to late for that to happen. I think that it is impossible to ever take them seriously again, particularly when they had been put on notice that we were closely examining their every move, they play a childish prank by electing John Bercow as Speaker. Such antics are proof that whatever it takes to prove to us that they can take the job of government seriously, is missing from their collective character. I think that we are in a void. We need leadership, we are not getting it, and, the democratic alternatives on offer will not provide a solution, they are all from the same institution, singing the same old songs while our plight worsens by the day. People are fed up! As it becomes more apparent that there will be no real change, that the standards, and, character of our politicians are abysmal, bordering on dishonest, as the economic climate deteriorates, unemployment grows, events will create change not, politicians, who on a daily basis remind us of how useless, and, unnecessary they are. Were I a gambling man, I would have a small flutter that in 10 years time our Parliament will not bear much of a resemblance to the one we have today, if it does, I dread to think where we will be as a country!
- Kevin Sullivan, Roehampton, London.
What can be said that hasn't already been said. These two MPs swish in and out of their luxury appartment having been paid, inculding their expences, well over a QUARTER OF A MILLION POUNDS and then protest their innocense to any wrong doing. It would take the average working person on about £17500 a year nearly 15 YEARS to earn. They are a disgrace and are only clingning on to their parliamentary positions until the next election so they can claim even more money when they get their government pensions.
- Glen Livesey, Huddersfield UK
This is simply and plainly Obtaining Money by Deception, Section 15 Theft Act 1968. Why are these cretins not being investigated by the Fraud Squad?
- Neil45, Gloucestershire, England.
They certainly add to the look of their neighbourhood, don't they?
- Helen, norwich
GENERAL ELECTION NOW!
- Mark, London
Jail these criminals and confiscate their assets
- L Mckay, Newcaslte
Nothing but the best for the 'socialists' what, what?
Get your snouts in nice and deep Alan and Ann, we are only overspending by a mere £30m per hour, oink, oink.
- Undercover Elephant, Dole Farm, Crays Hill, Essex
These two slimeballs make greedy thieving pigs look like angels.All you Labour voters who voted them in I just hope you are all suffering job and house loss. What is useless plod doing about it. If my wife and I stole 140000 from the taxpayer we would be banged up in double quick time. Come on Gormless Gordon sack them NOW and make them pay back every penny
- Trevn, Abu Dhabi
Perhaps now Mrs. Keen will step down from her paid post as junior minister while her affairs are properly investigated.
- Ladywholunches, london
The contempt with which the Jolly Old Boys "CLUB" hold for the Taxpayer is all so clear !
- A.Taxpayer, london
Hey Reuben,
It won't make a difference. These are Brown's mates
See the message above yours.
- Steve, Brentford
This odious couple are two of the country's most despised crooks and must be made repay every penny they have pilfered from the public purse. Our MPs are the scum of the earth.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
Hey ST of London,
These porcine creatures are living proof that some people will continue to vote for a slurry pit providing it has a red lid..... Or a blue one depending on your point of view
- Steve, Brentford
The sooner these riff-raff MP's are relegated to the nearest dustbin the better.
A baby dropped a sweet wrapper from a car window and the driver was taken to the Crown Court for littering. That cost the taxpayer at least GBP5,000.00.
Meanwhile, MP's can line their own pockets with expenses and nobody says boo!
Just wait until the General Election.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
I’ve been told that they might have a third home as most people call a justice system, as the name is Jail so lets all wait and see what excuses a clever solicitor can manipulate this thing we call Law the commonsense of it all is called knowing Right from Wrong and this has always been for personal Gain
- Gaswork, Dormanstown UK
Shame,shame,shame.
They should be made to pay every penny back and be banned from any public office for life!
- Mick, London
"It is currently in the process of being substantially renovated, entirely at our own expense," she said in a statement.
Because you did not get a chance to put the receipts through. Rich socialists abusing the system to make a quick buck. Sounds familiar.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
These tow have been at it for years - and living in Isleworth I have written to them numerous times asking them how they justified a second home when they lived only 10 miles from westminister! however as usual all my emails were ignored - its about time they has their cumuppance. They truely deserve having the property taken by the council that elected them.
Lets all now hope that the focus now goes towards what claims our councellors have made as expenses, to see exactly how much of our council tax is being ripped off,
- Raminder Bhalla, Isleworth
..and people will STILL vote for them because they are the Labour candidate...
- St, London
There should be strong laws to restrict couples who are "career civil servant spongers" ability to milk the taxpayer for all we are worth. Any benefits should be restricted to just one of the couple incentivising the other to go out and get a proper job or have a proper career. At least then if they decide to go back into the civil service they can apply knowledge and skills from the real world.
- Steve Rook, Essex
We'll never get their snouts out of the trough. Trust me!
These guys are professionals.
- Steve, Brentford
