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David Cameron’s shadow cabinet team to repay £24,782 in expenses
Joe Murphy, Political Editor18 Dec 2009
David Cameron's shadow cabinet team has agreed to repay a total of £24,782 in over-claimed expenses, it was revealed today.
Mr Cameron has banned his team from appealing against the repayments and published a list this afternoon to set an example to Labour.
It comes as Labour's culture minister Sion Simon faced an investigation after it emerged that he paid £44,000 of expenses money to his sister. A formal complaint is being made about Mr Simon, who claims he accidentally broke rules banning rental payments to family members.
Commons Auditor Sir Thomas Legg may not have been informed that Mr Simon paid £1,000 a month in rent to his own sister for a property overlooking Regent's Park.
The biggest Tory repayment is being made by shadow defence secretary Liam Fox, ordered to hand back £7,984 in excessive mortgage and maintenance claims. Chief Whip Patrick McLoughlin is the next worst, with a bill for £4,058, followed by aid spokesman Andrew Mitchell, charged £2,623.
The final repayments were ordered by Sir Thomas after his trawl through claims since 2004.
Former chancellor Kenneth Clarke is paying back £1,345 overclaimed for cleaning— a reduced figure from the original demand for £4,733 after he questioned Sit Thomas's figures. Policy chief Oliver Letwin is repaying £613.
Shadow Cabinet Member Outstanding repayments
David Cameron £0.00
Greg Clark £0.00
Ken Clarke £1,345.00
Dr Liam Fox £7,984.28
Mark Francois £0.00
Cheryl Gillan £1,884.23
Michael Gove £0.00
Chris Grayling £0.00
Dominic Grieve £0.00
William Hague £601.14
Philip Hammond £0.00
Nick Herbert £0.00
Jeremy Hunt £0.00
Andrew Lansley £877.56
Oliver Letwin £613.70
Patrick McLoughlin £4,058.54
Francis Maude £0.00
Theresa May £0.00
Andrew Mitchell £2,673.33
David Mundell £1,300.00
George Osborne £0.00
Owen Paterson £281.19
Eric Pickles £388.00
Grant Shapps £0.00
Caroline Spelman £2,167.51
Theresa Villiers £0.00
David Willetts £607.70
Sir George Young £0.00
Reader views (16)
Good for Cameron making these guys pay the money back. Cameron isn't perfect but at least he's showing something we don't see too often in politics - leadership.
- John, Sussex, 20/12/2009 09:53
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Lying, thieving treacherous SCUM, the lot of them.
When are we going to learn?
- Conservationchris, Knutsford ENGLAND, 18/12/2009 20:33
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This is more PR by Dave. The Winterton's who claimed rent for living in a house where the Tax Payer had paid off the mortgage are allegedly being allowed to retire without paying back a penny.
- Arthur Atkins, Acton England, 18/12/2009 17:51
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David Soams, london, good idea, but this will never happen as this country is full of sheep.
- Baaaaaah, London, 18/12/2009 15:39
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vote the the main 3 parties out and lets start fresh
- David Soams, london, 18/12/2009 14:19
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When are the population going to rise up against this greedy hypocrasy, just what do these parasites have to do for 'us' to take some action? Thirty years ago we would have been on the streets now we just moan, watch Question Time and put up with it - we get what we deserve until we do something about it. There needs to be a root and branch reform of our political system and real democracy not this bloated scam, without which we are doomed! Today's politicians no longer have any moral authority to rule - shame on you all.
- Graham, Surrey, 18/12/2009 11:01
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Why do they get away with simply paying back the amount they have stolen? Why aren't they at least being charged interest on the whole amount that they've fiddled for the whole period that they have had the money, and then HEAVILY fined like REAL people would be? Scumbags, the lot of them.
- .Pee'Doff Pensioner, London / UK, 18/12/2009 10:49
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Just what do they have to do before they are prosecuted for fraud.
- Shallotman, Basildon, 18/12/2009 10:42
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If Brown is to have any credibility he must sack him immediately. Not to do so will be seen as condoning a minister in his government who has clearly broken the rules. However, it will be a total surprise to everyone if he is sacked. Browns track record on MPs expenses is hardly one to shout about.
- Brian G, Norfolk Gorleston, 18/12/2009 10:23
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At least this one's offered to repay, 80 of them are going to court to avoid it.
- Bob, Cheam, 18/12/2009 10:08
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Paying back is not enough.
- Dhan Raj, Basildon, 18/12/2009 10:04
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M.P. for 'Creative expenses' should repay every penny, resign and go to Court.
This is absolute corruption.
- Roger, Devon, 18/12/2009 10:02
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"It was within the rules" the bloated, hypocritical parasite spouted.
If a benefit cheat fiddled £21,000.00 they would be arrested, photographed, finger-printed, DNA'd, charged, put in court and sent to prison without a moments' hesitation.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR, 18/12/2009 09:49
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"creative industries" - he was v creative with his accounting! Scum
- David, soton, 18/12/2009 09:33
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Unbelievable. They're like the Bourbons- they have learnt NOTHING!
- Tony, London, UK, 18/12/2009 09:11
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simon must resign
- Terry Sullivan, morden england, 18/12/2009 08:43
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