John Pugh on Expences and his Legge Letter (Southport Liberal Democrats)

Southport Liberal Democrats <info@southportlibdems.org.uk>

John Pugh on Expences and his Legge Letter

October 20, 2009 2:37 PM

John Pugh People will have read that Sir Thomas Legg has written to all MPs having conducted an examination and audit of their accommodation and second home costs going back years. Either they were asked for more details, to repay money or told that their expenses raise no issues. Sir Thomas found no issues with my expenses I'm glad to say.

For most MPs it's better to have a proper audit than allowing the media to present their version of the facts, but some colleagues have identified significant factual errors in the Legg findings and there is unhappiness that Sir Thomas has ruled claims out of order this year which were clearly authorised and validated when submitted in previous years.

Because there has been clear abuse and such a public outcry all MPs feel damned what ever they say. However there is unhappiness that the 'flippers' and profiteers seem to have got away more lightly in the Legg enquiry than those who used cleaners too often - I personally do my own cleaning but I take the point.

I am proud though that throughout this horrible saga no single Liberal Democrat MP has been found to be flipping, dodging big capital gains tax or claiming for a second home when their constituency is in London.