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Former minister for London Tony McNulty was set to make an apology and repay £13,000 today after watchdogs found him guilty of breaking rules on MPs' second home allowance.
Mr McNulty was expected to make a statement to the Commons within hours of the publication of a report on how he claimed expenses for a home where his parents live.
The Standards and Privileges Committee was expected to stop short of demanding the Labour MP's suspension, preferring an apology and "payback" of some of the money claimed.
Mr McNulty had claimed around £60,000 for a second home in his Harrow East constituency, declaring it was necessary for his Parliamentary work. He lives with his wife, Christine Gilbert, in a house she owns in Hammersmith, three miles from Westminster.
The Standard has learned that the report by Parliamentary Standards Commissioner John Lyon - which forms the basis of the committee's ruling - found that Mr McNulty should have worked out more accurately the benefit to his parents of their stay in the subsidised home.
Although he claimed well below the maximum £24,000 to which MPs are entitled for a second home, the MP had "failed to identify" the impact on the public purse of his arrangements.
Reader views (9)
These digusting Labour MPs are above the law and have an arrogant indifference to Joe Public,I have never seen such a crooked bunch of politicians in my life,they brazenly steal from us and then after being caught with their hands in the till they resent having to pay it back!,common criminals the lot without the threat of prosecution hanging over them.
- General Lee Wright, Bent Kent, Communist Britain.
Both Tony McNulty and Jacqui Smith are pondlife. i find it ironic that each served in the Home Office of all places. If the Parlimentary Standards Committee was truly independent and the CPS had guts then they would both be charged with theft.
- Ian Nicholson, London, England
Another MP conveniently hides behind the fees office in parliament which apparently authorised payment of the £60,000.00. If anyone claimed expenses from their employer which were initially paid but then found to be illegitimate they would need to pay back those expenses and almost face disciplinary or legal action. Mc Nulty has escaped with paying back a small part of his illegitimate claim and asked to apologise. He should be stripped of public office, expelled from the labour party and a by election should be called in his constituency. Mc Nulty is part of a government which has believed that it is entitled to do as they like and like others has no intention , having been found out, of retiring from public life. We are advised that the PPS have no chance of bringing a successful prosecution against Mc Nulty but I for one would feel a lot better if they tried.
- Robin Brittain, Wolverhampton UK
Next step is for gordon Brown to re=instate him as a Minister - job done. They REALLY don't get it do they!!!!!
- Malcolm, London
I watched this creep make his apology to the house. Like Jacqui Smith he looked completely unrepentant and obviously felt no sense of shame. He claimed £60,000 - so why is he repaying only £13,000? The only solution to this scandal is for tax payers to take out private prosecutions. Perhaps the Evening Standard could start a fund and we will contribute towards the legal fees. The sooner these crooks are behind bars the better.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK
£60,000 is £60,000 is £60,000 and not £13,000.
- Ms, Manchester
Why do we need a minister for London when we have a London Mayor AND a Mayor OF London. Three people doing one job? sounds very public sector. I can see a clear way of saving money here...
- Mr Opinion, London
He's a politician does anyone believe for a minute that any apology will cause him the slightest concern or embarrassment. He will simply be smugly satisfied that he did not have to answer to a court of law. As someone once said "if you can fake sincerity you've cracked it".
- Peter, Ipswich UK
If a benefit cheat fiddled £60,000.00 from the public purse, their feet would not touch the ground.
WHY IS THERE ONE LAW FOR JOE PUBLIC AND AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT LAW FOR MP's?
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
