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Be honourable and repay £100,000, Wilshire told
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent16.10.09
Tory MP David Wilshire was today urged to repay expenses of more than £100,000 that he reportedly directed into a firm which he jointly owned.
The Spelthorne MP is to stand down at the General Election.
He denies wrongdoing in allegedly paying £105,000 of office and staff allowances into Moorlands Research Services, which is said to have two partners — himself and his partner Ann Palmer.
However, Malcolm Royer, a Conservative councillor who intended to stand against Mr Wilshire, claimed there was an “unbelievable breach of trust” between the MP and constituents. “Now he should do the honourable thing and pay the money back,” he said.
Mr Wilshire also faced questions over his taxes. Mike Warburton, of accountancy firm Grant Thornton, said Mr Wilshire's arrangements with Moorlands Research Services was a partnership rather than a company and that money from Commons expenses would have been taxable. “The partners, I assume, have properly declared this on their tax returns,” he said.
Commons Speaker John Bercow has urged MPs to repay claims as stipulated by auditor Sir Thomas Legg.
Reader views (9)
Surely the answer is to have Mr. Wilshire's arrangements (and those of other MPs) reviewed by HMRC and to have them apply exactly the same standards and criteria as they apply to the rest of us?
I have no problem with the reimbursement of MPs' legitimate expenses - those incurred as a direct consequence of their role as legislator; however, I also believe that their expenses, allowances, etc. should be subjected to the same rigorous review that HMRC apply to the rest of us. Legitimate expenses should be reimbursed and benefits in kind, for example such goods and services as the rest of us are expected to pay for out of after-tax income, should be taxed.
- Paul G, Newbury, Berks
This guy should be arrested for theft. He's knowingly committed the crime of stealing tax payers money and should be punished accordingly. Why isn't he? Its a disgrace! I'm stunned that all these MPs are getting away with this, I would be arrested for syphoning a company's money into my own accounts and if that law applies to me it should apply to him.
- Kathy, London
I have said it time and time again, I will never ever vote again in this country until there is a complete change in the politics that runs this country.
The law can no longer protect anyone in this country and it's a full blown complete break down of Capitalism and proves that none of the current politics works in this country. All the politions I have read about etc are all parisites and they discust me to the stomach !
- Michael Fincham, London
Repay?Only if directed by a High Court Judge,which will not happen as no one will be prosecuted!Welcome to lawless Britain!
- Alan, Chigwell.
Why hasn't he been arrested? Why havn't ANY of this bunch of scum been arrested? HYPOCRISY RULES, OK?
- Poor Pensioner, London/England
It's a shame but his hand was forced, no honour or self respect.
Perhaps he will now set up another vehicle for all the consultancy work he might extract from a future Conservative Government.
There's always light at the end of tunnel for the likes of Mr Wilshire.
- Paul, London
Good. Duncan needs to go next. The Tories have a bit of work to do and house cleaning before I vote for them.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Good riddance you low-life blood-sucking parasite. I hope all your ill-gotten money brings you nothing but pain and misery.Can't wait to see your enormous snout being forced out of the golden trough for ever.
- Kate, London
Dont go now, stay on until the Election being a little hero. Actually, going then allows him to claim another years expenses to run down his company, sorry, office and staff. Parasite.
- Steve, London
