On Tuesday, LDV began compiling a full list of the findings of Sir Thomas Legg’s inquiries into MPs’ expenses as they related to the Lib Dems’ 63 MPs. We are adding to this list as information is received by us or published elsewhere.
We understand the party’s whips office has recommended all Lib Dem MPs publish a statement on their website. As of Thursday, we have information on just over one-half of the Parliamentary party, 33 MPs – but this leaves 30 MPs whose Legg letters we don’t know about. Can LDV readers help crowd-source this information on ‘the missing 30’, by letting us know about those who have published statements we’ve missed, or if local papers have published articles?
Naturally MPs or their staff can contact us direct to help us establish an accurate and transparent record: please leave a comment in the thread to update us, or alternatively email us at [email protected].
As of Thursday, here’s the scores on the doors:
Clean bill of health letter received from Sir Thomas Legg:
24 Lib Dem MPs – Norman Baker, John Barrett, Tom Brake, Paul Burstow, Vince Cable, Ed Davey, Lynne Featherstone, Sandra Gidley, John Hemming, Martin Horwood, David Howarth, Simon Hughes, Mark Hunter, Susan Kramer, David Laws, Greg Mulholland, John Pugh, Dan Rogerson, Paul Rowen, Matthew Taylor, Sarah Teather, Steve Webb, Stephen Williams, Jenny Willott.
Seeking further clarification from, or supplying further information to, Sir Thomas Legg:
7 Lib Dem MPs – Colin Breed, Ming Campbell, Julia Goldsworthy, Evan Harris, Nick Harvey, Norman Lamb, Jo Swinson.
Recommended to repay expenses by Sir Thomas Legg:
8 Lib Dem MPs – Danny Alexander (£125), Annette Brooke (£238.78), Don Foster (c.£4,500), Nick Clegg (£910), Tim Farron (£235), Chris Huhne £1,152), Adrian Sanders (£691), Phil Willis (£3,230).
No information at present time:
24 Lib Dem MPs – Alan Beith, Jeremy Browne, Malcolm Bruce, Lorely Burt, Alistair Carmichael, Andrew George, Mike Hancock, David Heath, Paul Holmes, Paul Keetch, Charles Kennedy, John Leech, Michael Moore, Mark Oaten, Lembit Öpik, Alan Reid, Willie Rennie, Bob Russell, Robert Smith, Andrew Stunell, John Thurso, Mark Williams, Roger Williams, Richard Younger-Ross.
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8 Comments
I think you have wrongly categorised Norman Baker – or wrongly categorised Julia Goldsworthy. My understanding is that Norman has been asked to provide more information for something he hasn’t claimed for, as has Julia. So either both should count as “clean bill of health” or both should count as “seeking further clarification.”
Danny Alexander has repaid £125 claimed for financial advice on his mortgage and has also been asked to submit further copies of domestic utility bills.
James – I’ve based the categories on what MPs have said (as far as possible) – as per http://tiny.cc/LcgME – Julia’s said she’s seeking clarification; Norman’s said he has a clean bill of health.
Vince Cable and Simon Hughes don’t claim ACA (which is what Legg was looking at) so will have got all clears.
Matthew Taylor:
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/cornishguardian/home/cornishguardiannews/cash-needs-repaid-local-MPs/article-1417513-detail/article.html
From John Barrett’s blog (which annoyingly has no permalinks):
“12 October 2009
Legg’s Letters
Back at Westminster, the expenses issue has taken off again. With MPs receiving letters today from Sir Thomas Legg stating that some had large sums of money to repay and other would need to do some explaining about what they had done in previous years. By the end of the day not every MP had received their letter. I did get my one and was glad that there were no issues causing problems and no amounts to repay. No doubt this issue will rumble on for months to come.”
– which I presume means “Clean bill of health”
Calling this “clean bill of health” is silly. The scope is narrow and there is no cap on mortgage interest and no scrutiny of three of the four allowances areas. Also no scrutiny over donations and fundraising. And also a “no comment” policy on those entrained in other legal enquiries, clawbacks and disciplinaries.
“Clean bill of health” is quite wrong. It’s shameless exaggeration. And that goes for all parties. David Chaytor and Jacqui Smith has a “clean bill of health” on the basis of Legg letters I think. This does somethingly demean the currency doncha think?
I can’t 100% confirm this, but I was under the impression that Mark Williams is in the clear.