Treasury Minister David Laws apologises over expenses

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Treasury Minister David Laws apologises over expenses

Postby dutchman » Fri May 28, 2010 11:08 pm

Chief Treasury Secretary David Laws has apologised for claiming MPs' expenses to rent rooms in homes owned by his partner.
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Mr Laws said he would immediately pay back the money the Daily Telegraph said totalled more than £40,000.

Mr Laws said he had been trying to keep his relationship with his male partner "private".

David Cameron said he agreed with Mr Laws' decision to refer himself to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.

Since 2006 parliamentary rules have banned MPs from "leasing accommodation from a partner".

The Daily Telegraph said Mr Laws claimed up to £950 a month for five years to rent a room in two properties owned by his partner, James Lundie.

In a statement, Mr Laws said: "I've been involved in a relationship with James Lundie since around 2001 - about two years after first moving in with him.

"Our relationship has been unknown to both family and friends throughout that time.

"At no point did I consider myself to be in breach of the rules which in 2009 defined partner as 'one of a couple… who although not married to each other or civil partners are living together and treat each other as spouses'.

"Although we were living together we did not treat each other as spouses - for example we do not share bank accounts and indeed have separate social lives.

"However, I now accept that this was open to interpretation and will immediately pay back the costs of the rent and other housing costs I claimed from the time the rules changed until August 2009."

He added: "I regret this situation deeply, accept that I should not have claimed my expenses in this way and apologise fully."

A spokesman for Prime Minister David Cameron said: "The prime minister has been made aware of this situation and he agrees with David Laws' decision to self refer to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner."

:bbc_news:
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Re: Treasury Minister David Laws apologises over expenses

Postby rebbonk » Sat May 29, 2010 1:23 am

Inspires confidence doesn't it?

Another one who has regrets because he was caught. If you or I had done this, we'd be facing prison for false accounting.
Of course it'll fit; you just need a bigger hammer.
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Re: Treasury Minister David Laws apologises over expenses

Postby StevieG » Sat May 29, 2010 8:15 am

If it was me Rebbonk, they would probably melt the cell key and not even think about re-ordering a replacement :rolling:
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Re: Treasury Minister David Laws apologises over expenses

Postby pollyanna » Sat May 29, 2010 10:40 am

rebbonk wrote:Inspires confidence doesn't it?

Another one who has regrets because he was caught. If you or I had done this, we'd be facing prison for false accounting.




Absolutely right Rebbonk :fuming:
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