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Ann Keen's answer to expenses question: Get stuffed
Joe Murphy and Paul Waugh16.10.09
Five London MPs are refusing to say if they are being asked to repay part of their Commons expenses.
They are Ann and Alan Keen, the couple dubbed Mr and Mrs Expenses, senior Tories Jacqui Lait and Richard Ottaway and Labour's Harry Cohen.
Five other MPs did not respond to enquiries from the Standard over a two-day period, while two were said to be on trips abroad.
Most of the 49 outer London MPs questioned said they had been assured by auditor Sir Thomas Legg they have nothing to repay.
However, they are also among some of the highest claimants of expenses.
Bob Neill Has been asked to repay £126.00 following a council tax bill error. “I've also been asked for more details relating to the purchase of my Chislehurst home, which I'm happy to provide,” he said.
Barry Gardiner has also admitted he will repay expenses (£174).
Mrs Keen told the Standard to “get stuffed” when approached politely at the Commons.
Her husband Alan also declined to answer questions.
The couple claimed between them almost £40,000 for a central London flat even though their “main residence” was just 10 miles from the Commons.
Ms Lait said her letter from Sir Thomas was “a private and confidential matter”.
She over-claimed on her second home mortgage for three years and had to pay back more than £7,000 after it was spotted by the fees office.
Labour MP Mr Cohen also refused to speak. “It's a private matter,” said his office. The Left-winger refurbished a dilapidated home with taxpayers' money, buying such items as a £3,031 granite work surface.
Mr Ottaway said he had “no comment to make at all”. He claimed £2,650 for half the cost of a £5,300 bed needed for a bad back.
From next year, London MPs will no longer be allowed to claim a second home allowance.
Payback? What London MPs say about their second home allowances ... and the saints who didn't claim
Barry Gardiner
Brent North
Former Environment minister, asked to repay £174 for deductions that should have been made in 2005. He said: “Whilst I am annoyed that the fees office calculation was incorrect on this matter, I consider that the outcome of the Legg investigation shows clearly that I acted at all times within both the letter and the spirit of the regulations.”
Second home claims last year: £15,079
Joan Ryan
Enfield North
The former minister has been asked to provide information on her mortgage interest payments. Claimed £4,500 for work on her Enfield home, which she had designated as her second home. Then wrote to the Commons fees office explaining that she wanted to designate her flat in south London as her second home.
Second home claims last year: £21,658
Harry Cohen
Leyton & Wanstead
The veteran Labour MP's office said that his letter from Sir Thomas Legg was “a private matter”. Mr Cohen, who is standing down at the election, charged taxpayers £12,000 in stamp duty and fees on a new property. He has claimed that expenses are “part of my salary”.
Second home claims last year: £23,083 (maximum allowable)
Jon Cruddas
Dagenham
The Labour Left-winger refused to comment. Told by Sir Thomas to pay back £173.83 for an electricity bill error and £340 for a service charge miscalculation in 2004, plus a £319 service charge duplicate claim that same year, and “will send cheque”. He changed designated second home in 2004/05.
Second home claims last year: £23,071
Rudi Vis
Finchley & Golders Green
Labour MP has been asked to give more details about his mortgage. Mr Vis, who is quitting at the next election, receives second home allowance and claims £2,300 a month interest on a mortgage he took out in 2006 on his constituency home. Says his main home is in Suffolk.
Second home claims last year: £23,083
John Austin
Erith & Thamesmead
The Labour veteran has been asked for further information. Reported to have claimed more than £10,000 in expenses to redecorate his London flat before selling it for a profit. He said: “I am confident that the Legg inquiry will not identify any irregularities in regard to my claims but I will accept Sir Thomas's findings.”
Second home claims last year: £23,083
Richard Ottaway
Croydon South
The Tory veteran, once a contender to be the party's candidate for London mayor, refused to comment. “You can ask me anything else about London or politics, but I'm afraid I can't speak about this.” He claimed £2,650 for half the cost of a £5,300 bed for back problems. Also claimed for coal and chimney sweeping.
Second home claims last year: £21,481
Andy Love
Edmonton
The Labour MP, a member of the Treasury Select Committee, failed to respond to calls. He claimed £3,500 in legal and property costs, £2,895 on redecoration, £929 for a television and £549 for a sideboard at a second home in London.
Second home claims last year: £23,083
Derek Conway
Old Bexley & Sidcup
Nothing to repay. The former Government whip, whose expenses misuse case began the outcry that culminated in this year's exposés, is not standing at the next election. He was found guilty by a sleaze watchdog of overpaying his two sons, expelled from the Conservative Party and forced to pay back more than £8,000.
Second home claims last year: £23,033
Tony McNulty
Harrow East
The former Minister for London is not being asked to make a repayment. However, he is being investigated by standards commissioner John Lyon over allegations he claimed for a house in which his parents live. Second home claims last year: £12,600
Gareth Thomas
Harrow West
His office said the Aid Minister was in Sudan and could not be contacted. “He will be making a comment at a later stage,” said a staff member.
Second home claims last year: £11,748
Jacqui Lait
Beckenham
The Conservative MP refused to answer questions. She said: “I have received a letter which is private and confidential, to which I will reply. It is a private and confidential matter.”
Second home claims last year: £15,478
Andrew Rosindell
Romford
The Tory shadow Home Office minister has nothing to repay, after claiming up to £1,450 a month for mortgage interest, along with other bills for food and council tax.
Second home claims last year: £23,083
Ann Keen
Brentford & Isleworth
When approached by the Standard, the Health Minister said “get stuffed”.
Ms Keen's “main residence” was taken over by squatters amid claims, denied by her, that it had been left empty for a long period. Second home claims last year: £18,333.
Andrew Dismore
Hendon
The Labour MP has nothing to repay. He said: “It is good to have confirmation that no action is required of me concerning my claims.”
Second home claims last year: £3,815
Mike Gapes
Ilford South
Failed to respond to Standard queries about his Legg letter. The Labour chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee claimed £1,600 a month to rent a second home in London.
Second home claims last year: £22,291
Alan Keen
Feltham & Heston
Labour MP whose controversial expenses claims with wife Ann led to them being dubbed Mr and Mrs Expenses, declined to disclose whether Sir Thomas Legg had requested a repayment.
Second home claims last year: £19,855
Angela Watkinson
Upminster
Tory backbencher has nothing to repay. She was reported to have claimed £3,100 to redecorate a flat in 2005/06, then claimed £6,350 for a new bathroom, as well as £804 for a TV, microwave and fridge. Second home claims last year: £21,234
Stephen Pound
Ealing North
Nothing to repay. The Labour MP claimed small sums such as £221 in 2006, £227 in 2005 and £1,129 in 2004.
Second home claims last year: £0
Bob Neill
Bromley & Chislehurst
Tory MP has been asked to repay around £120. A member of his staff offered to seek full details but did not make contact again.
Second home claims last year: £19,108
Malcolm Wicks
Croydon North
The Labour MP has nothing to repay. His only claim for a second home was a tiny £138 in 2005/6.
Second home claims last year: £0
Lyn Brown
West Ham
The Labour MP did not respond to requests for information.
Second home claims last year: £15,889
James Brokenshire
Hornchurch
The Conservative MP has nothing to repay — not surprising since he had one of the smallest claims.
Second home claims last year: £385
John Horam
Orpington
His office said the Conservative MP was away in Europe on a Foreign Affairs Select Committee trip and was not available.
Second home claims last year: £11,452
Dawn Butler
Brent South
The Labour whip refused to comment. Over-claimed £2,600 in rent on her constituency home.
Second home claims last year: £23,083
Iain Duncan Smith
Chingford and Woodford Green
Former Tory leader has nothing to repay. He claimed nothing last year and just £566 in 2006.
Second home claims last year: £0
Theresa Villiers
Chipping Barnet
Shadow transport secretary has been told by Sir Thomas that she has nothing to pay.
Second home claims last year: £18,181
The following Greater London MPs were entitled to claim a second home allowance but chose not to do so. Instead they took the smaller inner London allowance, last year worth £2,812.
Vincent Cable - Twickenham, Lib-Dem
John McDonnell -Hayes and Harlington, Labour
Lynne Featherstone - Hornsey and Wood Green, Lib-Dem
Andrew Pelling - Croydon Central, Conservative
Andrew Slaughter - Ealing, Acton & Shepherd's Bush, Labour
David Burrowes- Enfield Southgate, Conservative
David Evennett - Bexleyheath & Crayford, Conservative
Ed Davey- Kingston & Surbiton, Lib-Dem
John Randall - Uxbridge, Conservative
Lee Scott - Ilford North, Conservative
Neil Gerrard - Walthamstow, Labour
Nick Hurd - Ruislip Northwood, Conservative
Paul Burstow - Sutton & Cheam, Lib-Dem
David Lammy - Tottenham, Labour
Margaret Hodge - Barking, Labour
Stephen Timms - East Ham, Labour
Sarah Teather - Brent South, Lib-Dem
Siobhain McDonagh - Mitcham & Morden, Labour
Stephen Hammond - Wimbledon, Conservative
Susan Kramer - Richmond Park, Lib-Dem
Tom Brake - Carshalton & Wallington, Lib-Dem
Virenda Sharma - Ealing Southall, Labour
Reader views (13)
If you Londoners vote in uneducated idiots like this woman and her husband then what do you expect !!!!
- Nick Holland, glasgow
My local MP travels the 12 miles into parliament every day and claims no expenses, I suppose I should be very proud of him but I can't help feeling that not abusing expenses when all you do every day is look for photo opportunities and lead a fight to get your village it's own postcode so your house price goes up isn't actually doing anything for your constituents.
- Bob, Cheam
The arrogance of my MP is typical of most MP's contempt & arrogance! They now wrongly complain that because the rules have now been changed since they made their claims, that they could normally sue their employer. But they fail to realise, that because they lack basic morals and integrity, they would not be in this predicament, in the first place! It's not enough for them to be politely asked to pay back the money, but they MUST also be prosecuted!
- Ann Jones, Brentford
get the police in now, we would have been sacked or arrested. This has gone on now long enough, were are the police? or have they something to hide.
- Lee, middlesex
Another arrogant response from this bunch of freeloaders. "Get stuffed" is not exactly Parliamentary language. No doubt the voters will judgeher next year.
H.M.the Queen has reigned over a country that has seen it's Empire disintegrate,the House of Lords filled with placemen,the House of Commons filled with many persons who have never had a proper job & who appear to be self serving crooks, a former P.M who has taken the country to 2 unnecessary wars & she is now seeing an unelected P.M & a bunch of bureaucrats in Brussels dictating to the British as to how to run her country. The last "Good Queen Bess" would have had none of it. Come along now Ma'am, dissolve Parliament NOW. You know it makes sense.
- Mordwinoff, Creyssac France.
This woman is showing her contempt for the people she represents. She should go now! What is obvious that she and her husband are in it for what they can get out of it and not what is good for the country. If this were anywhere else both would be charged with deception. Equally it is not good enough for MPs to police themselves. We need an independent enquiry. If an election were to be called now, would there be any honest contestants? I think not.
- Adam, London, England
Ann Keen's response to the Standard says it all about the nature of the woman. At least what's left of our democracy will force Labour into an Election next year. Those of us in Mrs Keens constituency can let her know exactly what we think of her and how little she has done for her constituents interests whilst she and hubby had their snouts firmly buried in the trough.
Roll on 2010! Mind you, both Mr and Mrs Expenses will still have nice fat MP pensions to fall back on.
- David, Brentford and Isleworth (Constituency of Mrs. Expenses)
GET STUFFED YOURSELF, ANN (not so) KEEN!
- Nowan King, London
This whole so called investigation is a scam.How can Brown and co appoint someone to investigate themselves.Many MPs stole tens of thousands,but only hundreds are being paid back.We need the public prosecutor investigating and a court appointed judge deciding what needs to be paid back.The MPs are pretending to be upset with this investigation,but the reality is they are laughing all the way to the bank.
- Dave, london
When are charges going to brought against these fraudsters, they have been caught red handed and should face the courts without delay.
- Les, London
I love where I live but have the misfortune to be "represented" in Parliament by the money-grubbing and arrogant Ann Keen. Not for much longer though. A General Election looms and then it will be our turn to tell this grasping woman to "Get Stuffed" - several thousands of times over. It's called Universal Sufferage Mrs. Keen and I hope that you will be voted out of office and then pursued through the courts for your financial malfeasance. The dustbin of history is waiting for you, and hopefully also for your "snout in the trough" husband in the adjoining constituency.
- Martyn Warwick, Chiswick, London
"a private and confidential matter".
No it's not, not where public money is involved. That's our money paid directly out of our pockets. You are our employees and we demand to know how much you have stolen.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Ann Keen (Mrs Expenses) spouted to the Evening Standard "Get stuffed".
That is extremely mild language for such a common parasite who, along with her husband, have creamed-off countless thousands of pounds from the trough of obscene MP's expenses.
Every dog has its day parasite Keen.
Joe Public's day will soon be here.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
