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MP's financial advice was claimed on expenses

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Published Date: 27 May 2009
Taxpayers paid two bills worth more than £800 each for Northampton North MP Sally Keeble to receive expert financial advice for her own private tax returns.
While the public is generally not allowed to claim the cost of employing accountants to fill in self-assessment tax returns, many MPs have been criticised for submitting the bills as part of their parliamentary allowances.

Mrs Keeble, Labour MP fo
r Northampton North, confirmed the disputed claims were submitted in 2004 and 2007 and related to work carried out by Dennis Bates, the husband of Labour MP Meg Munn.

Cabinet ministers in the firing line for using the same firm include Foreign Secretary David Miliband and schools minister Jim Knight.

But Mrs Keeble added: "This firm is very well known within Westminster and is used widely. I have used it on other occasions for work which has not been claimed for.

"All of the details have been published on my website and so there is no secrecy surrounding the claims. It is only right that they are open to public scrutiny."

According to the details listed on Mrs Keeble's expenses forms, she received £846 in 2004 for "preparation of your tax return for the year ended April 5 2004". A claim for a similar amount was also made in 2007.

Keen to move on from the expenses scandal, MPs have now called for wide-ranging reforms of Parliament. Mrs Keeble backed Tory leader David Cameron's call for fixed term parliamentary sessions, which would reduce executive power by preventing Prime Ministers from choosing their own election dates.

She said: "I think that is very important. I have just spent a week in the States and, while their system has its flaws, it has clear checks against the power of the executive and the legislature.

"Our system has become very outmoded and out of touch with the ordinary working environment, and we need to get back to that.

"We also need to address the problem of parliamentary recesses.

"The idea that we all pack up and close down Parliament for three months every summer is madness."

Meanwhile, Conservative MP for Northampton South Brian Binley has said his expenses would not be listed on his website before a public meeting on the matter is held in the town on Friday.

He said hard copies would be available at the meeting, at the Conservative Association in Billing Road, starting at 7pm.



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  • Last Updated: 27 May 2009 8:31 AM
  • Source: Northampton Chron & Echo
  • Location: Northampton
 
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,

27/05/2009 10:12:44
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
2

Numpty Resident,

Town 27/05/2009 11:49:17
Oh dear, that's even more of our money she's going to have to pay back ... how awful for her.
3

The Earl of Upney,

In the counting house 27/05/2009 12:09:41
It is my belief that MPs salaries are taxed under PAYE and that their particular function as an MP is an employed one and not self employment. Therefore, if their employer has paid them money for professional advice on their tax returns, it should at the very least be taxable as a benefit in kind at 40%.
One has to say, why should they be allowed to claim it in full from the poor unsuspecting public purse.
We say an early goodbye to Sally Keeble MP, and await Brian Binley MP's expenses, details of which are to be distributed in hard copy at Billing Road Conservative Club this Friday evening.
We can here Brian now "I did not seek this" !! "I would willingly work for less than the minimum wage, bearing in mind that the country is in such debt"
Finally, one is beginning to suspect that the Palace of Westminster is just a pseudo off-shore tax haven.
I may seem sowhat knowledgable on this tax thingy, but it's only because I had a tincture or two with my old friends, Pricey, Waterhouse, and Cooper, last evening and they gave me a spot of advice!
Back to the hustings, concentrating on the efforts to bring victory for the Countess at the County (a good slogan)
Upney
"Putting a bit of stick about for the people of Northamptonshire"
4

,

27/05/2009 13:21:53
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
5

not a town girl,

Northants 27/05/2009 14:00:46
Somehow I don't feel surprised by this latest story
6

The Earl of Upney,

In the stable block with the motor cars 27/05/2009 14:26:08
Thank you Pipenslippers.
I can assure you that I have not ventured forth in any motor vehicle today, chauffeured or otherwise.
I do apologise about the lapses in my spelling, but one does find theses keyboard thingies a little difficult, and I don't think we can spellcheck on this site.
I am not particularly au fait with the happenings at the Guildhall. I suspect that if silence is the order of the day it is beecause of this purdah, that is intended to stall some of the punch and judy stuff within councils themselves, and leave it to candidates to beat each other up, metaphorically speaking, out in the hustings and on the stump.
The rumour mill seems to be working overtime, they tell
me on the doorsteps.
The Couness and I are still optimistic about her chances on 4 June. In fact, I am presently supervising Clarkson, our number 2 chauffeur, who is polishing the Daimler Majestic Major 4.5 V8 Laundaulet. We look forward to her waving to the adoring public when she arrives at County Hall after the elections.
We have it on good authority that Messrs Harker and Smith are putting the finishing touches to their resignation speeches.
Shall we see you at the count? If so please adjust your footwear, and please remember that there is no smoking indoors.
Au revoir
Upney
"Putting a bit of stick about for the people of Northamptonshire"
And, "Backing the Countess for the County"
7

Finker,

27/05/2009 18:06:07
Why is it these MPs seem to think as long as they make it public then it is all fine. Just because you got caught doesn't mean you are innocent.
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tish,

northampton 27/05/2009 19:30:43
Sorry Sally, we are not moving on from the expenses scandal, we will move on when we are good and ready and that for me will be when there are more resignations and when the police start looking into potential fraud, even claiming for food is a disgrace, I thought thats what your salary was for, also why is it that every MP now says that they want transparency?, we are not fools you did not want transparency when your snouts were in the trough
9

Brisbane,

27/05/2009 21:43:24
Yet further evidence this parasite of a woman is completely and utterly unfit for public office.
How much more blood has she sucked from hard-working people?
I'm utterly ashamed Ms Feeble represents what used to be my party. Not any more.
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John Stanton,

northampton 27/05/2009 23:23:16
A good read is the green book on expenses. Quote “Is this expense genuinely incurred by me in my role as a Member of Parliament as opposed to my personal capacity? Is this purchase supporting me in carrying out my parliamentary duties? Defining parliamentary duties is difficult but Members may wish to consider (i) the generally accepted parliamentary functions: the legislative role; the oversight and accountability role; and the representative role, including dealing with constituents’ problems and (ii) obligations they may have, for example as a small employer. Anything which is done for personal benefit or for electioneering or for the direct support of a political party will not be part of a Member’s parliamentary duties.”
Why does every MP need a second house for and to claim for it? Quote “How comfortable do I feel with the knowledge that my claim will be available to the public under Freedom of Information?” Considering how “uncomfortable” MP’s must be at the moment perhaps they should have read this a lot better and took note? Has anyone been to an MP’s house I doubt it looking at the “surgeries” costs? As to websites Quote “You must not use party logos or slogans.” Perhaps a certain MP who has now published some expenses on a website should remove the party logo? Unless an expense is genuine and meets the above it cannot be claimed. MP’s should be asking themselves a lot of questions right now, down to do they need a second home?
Anyone want a copy email me on jjsfamp@uwclub.net
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