Under-fire MP writes letter of explanation
Underfire MP Brian Binley has written to constituents explaining his decision to claim £57,000 in expenses on a flat he rented from his own company.
Here is the text of the letter in full.
"I have enclosed a copy of a statement I have issued which outlines the facts as I see them. In addition I might tell you that I was a late entrant into Parliament and didn't want to lumber my wife who is 18 years younger than me with a sizeable mortgage, recognising that at my age things could go wrong. Because of this my fellow directors were willing to take out mortgage taken by my company was perfectly legal at the time I pursued that as an objective and ideal solution.
"Thereafter the company took out a 345,000 interest only mortgage on a basic flat in Pimlico, which had a monthly repayments of 1600 which was sizeably more than the 1500 I was paying in rent especially when one takes into account that it included, all the furnishings in the flat, it also paid for water rates, Council Tax, lighting and heating charges, furthermore I paid for the cleaning myself.
"In other words it didn't cover the company's cost, especially when you take into account that the fact the company paid 12,000 in stamp duty 9,000 for furniture, white goods etc and 4000 in legal costs. It is true that they hoped the flat would increase in value but ironically that hasn't turned out to be true either, but I'm sure that won't break your heart. In other words there was no material benefit to my company which simply helping me to do my job as an MP.
"The rules situation is a difficult one, not least when you realise we have experienced five different major rule changes in the four years I have been in the House of Commons but I objected to being forced to move out of a long term contractual arrangement especially when it would cost the tax payer more money and I appealed that decision, which I'm sure you will agree I had a right to do
"Unfortunately that appeal took longer than I would have wanted but that was out of my hands. Eventually the appeal was finally rejected and I abided by the rules of the fees office and found myself another flat which is now costing 365 per week and doesn't include council tax water rates gas or electricity hence creating a greater cost to the public purse, which disturbs me.
"I hope the above is helpful to you and if you feel you can tell me what I've done wrong I would be very grateful, it really would be helpful, because in truth I can see no way in which I have."
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