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Shamed expenses fraud MP Eric Illsley still picking up full salary
Joe Murphy, Political Editor26 Jan 2011
Disgraced MP Eric Illsley is still on full pay and perks two weeks after pleading guilty to defrauding the taxpayer.
In recent days the Barnsley Central MP has been seen in the Commons, where he still has an office and staff despite promising to resign his seat. Conservative MP George Eustice said: "The public will be amazed that two weeks after being found guilty this former Labour MP is still enjoying an office at taxpayers' expense."
At Southwark crown court, Illsley, 55, admitted three charges of false accounting. In a three-year period he claimed £14,500 more than he was entitled to on his second home in Kennington. But he is not due to be sentenced until next month and the Speaker, John Bercow, has forbidden any MP from putting down a motion to expel him until the case is over.
Illsley said he would resign before sentencing, but did not say when. His Commons salary is £65,738 a year and since he admitted his guilt he has pocketed about £2,500. The TaxPayers' Alliance said it was "unbelievable" that Illsley was still being paid.
Reader views (11)
Do the crime, do some time - irrespective of the colour of election camnpaign ribbons, race, creed or any other distinguishing feature. Seems odd that a 'lawmaker' is still active in that line of work after being found guilty of breaking laws. Sort of an oxymoron, really.
- Rogan, Irving, 26/01/2011 18:58
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To dave ,London
A little too partisan to link Cameron with this trash labour MP who is drawing an unearned salary after admitting theft.At present the score is 1 Conservative peer v 3 Labour MPs....I am hoping they all go down irrespective of party tag.
- peter doff, filey yorks, 26/01/2011 14:59
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The case IS over - he is guilty and all that is awaited is the sentence, which is neither here nor there as far as Parliament is concerned. Unless of course, the Speaker thinks the judge can be bought as easily as his politicians...
- charlie, London, 26/01/2011 14:42
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So the little man Bercow (not F****g royalty) has forbidden any MP from putting down a motion to expel him until the case is over. How very worldly of him; it's a lot different than SKY's sacking of Andy Gray who never stole from the taxpayer, but just uttered what a lot of redneck football fans think about a wee lassie running the touchline.
Illsley should have lost his job on first admission of guilt - PERIOD.
The little speaker should learn to throw the book at such MP's and not allow real hellsih behaviour to pervade Parliament.
- Mr Ure Nicked, London, England, 26/01/2011 13:41
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Ahhhhhhh - where is democracy in this country!
- Fulhamite, Fulham, 26/01/2011 13:37
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What a spineless Speaker we have in Bercow. Illsley should have been sacked the moment he was found guilty. Bercow should be sacked because he has brought down the reputation of the house in more ways than one, including one of shear arrogance and another of not respecting his position as Speaker. These people forget they are servants of the public and treat the public with utter disdain.
- True Brit, London UK, 26/01/2011 13:33
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They are above the law and make the rules as they go along. This guy is also still receiving money from lobbying too on top of his high salary. WHY WHY WHY?
- serox, London, 26/01/2011 13:17
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Why?
- Maggie, London, 26/01/2011 13:07
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I would not care if MPs got 1.7 million a year like Andy Grey if they were any good, and if there were less of them, there are far better more moral and certainly more patriotic people working for peanuts as cleaners and on building sites, question is how did we finish up with this lot? any house wife could run the country better because she has to balance the books each week, our leaders have got us in untold debt , not them personally they are doing fine, all on our backs, bunch of parasites!
- Peter Woods, Torre Chianca, 26/01/2011 12:50
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Bercow might earn a little respect if he accepted that it is tax payers' money that this obnoxious creep is continuing to steal. Illsley should have been kicked out when he pleaded guilty two weeks ago.
- R.F.Yorke, Yorks, UK, 26/01/2011 12:49
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We are all in it together.Guess Cameron was talking about the fraud.
- dave, london, 26/01/2011 12:06
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