QUESTIONS POSED BY LABOUR MP'S EXPENSES

6.00.00pm GMT Thu 10th Dec 2009

Lib Dems in Durham have today posed question of the City's Labour MP following the news that she was forced to repay £1,330 of her expenses. The MP also claimed £3,300 for food as well as buying £1,800 worth of furniture.

Questions are now being asked about why the Labour MP did not reveal that she had been asked to make the repayment and why she makes no reference to this repayment on her website.

Reference is also being made to the fact that when the Legg review reported in October, Durham's MP stated: "Sir Thomas wrote in his letter that he had examined the MP's records and had not identified any payments made under the ACA which he considers call for repayment." Why was no reference was made at this time to the June 16th letter which called for repayment?

And despite saying "It is right that parliament tries to put right the expenses system which has caused such scandal", she herself claimed £3,300 for food without receipts last year. She had voted on July 3rd 2008 to retain the right to claim £25 a day without the need for a receipt. In fact records show that she continued to claim the £25 per day without receipts into the new financial year, though this is now a practice which says should end.

If the Labour MP thinks the system is so flawed why did she vote against reform in 2008 and why did she continue to take full advantage of the old system right up until the rules were changed?

Full records of the MP's expense claims can be found at: http://mpsallowances.parliament.uk/mpslordsandoffices/hocallowances/allowances-by-mp/roberta-blackmanwoods/