Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MPAnother day, yet another assortment of MPs on the rack over their Parliamentary expenses. The Telegraph really are milking this one for all it's worth and it's growing a bit tedious to tell you the truth.
I think we can take it for granted that a sizable minority of the Westminster contingent are exploiting the expenses system. I think we're all agreed that it's scandalous that MPs can claim for extravagant extras designed to facilitate their lavish lifestyle rather than their official Parliamentary business.
The Telegraph is like a rabid dog foaming at the mouth over this story. They know what they want to print and they aren't prepared to entertain the politicians' excuses, however sincere they may be.
My MP, Sir Alan Beith, is the subject of Telegraph speculation today. I disagree with his politics but he's a good MP, who has served north-Northumberland diligently over the past 35 years. He's also a family man of the utmost integrity. I knew his first wife Barbara well because she used to teach me. A lovely lady, who sadly died well before her time.
Today the Telegraph accused him of milking the system by claiming £117,750 in second home allowances since 2001. That works out at a little over £1,000 per month for renting a property in London - not a hugely unreasonable sum considering prices down there.
They also wag their finger at him for spending £6,000 on food over the last 3 years. Alan points out that a lot of these food expenses were incurred during late night Commons sittings and on the train. Considering MPs sit about 150 days a year that works out at just under £15 per day. Would people consider that excessive? You can barely get a meal on the train for that price.
They also poke their noses into a £5,000 claim for 3 years worth of cleaning, £5,457 for a new kitchen and £219 for an air conditioning unit. All of these claims were explained perfectly adequately to the Telegraph, yet they decided to stick the boot in regardless.
I'm disappointed that the Telegraph today tarnished his good reputation without putting forward his side of the argument.
I always considered the Telegraph slightly better than a red-topped tabloid. Obviously I was mistaken.
I think we can take it for granted that a sizable minority of the Westminster contingent are exploiting the expenses system. I think we're all agreed that it's scandalous that MPs can claim for extravagant extras designed to facilitate their lavish lifestyle rather than their official Parliamentary business.
The Telegraph is like a rabid dog foaming at the mouth over this story. They know what they want to print and they aren't prepared to entertain the politicians' excuses, however sincere they may be.
My MP, Sir Alan Beith, is the subject of Telegraph speculation today. I disagree with his politics but he's a good MP, who has served north-Northumberland diligently over the past 35 years. He's also a family man of the utmost integrity. I knew his first wife Barbara well because she used to teach me. A lovely lady, who sadly died well before her time.
Today the Telegraph accused him of milking the system by claiming £117,750 in second home allowances since 2001. That works out at a little over £1,000 per month for renting a property in London - not a hugely unreasonable sum considering prices down there.
They also wag their finger at him for spending £6,000 on food over the last 3 years. Alan points out that a lot of these food expenses were incurred during late night Commons sittings and on the train. Considering MPs sit about 150 days a year that works out at just under £15 per day. Would people consider that excessive? You can barely get a meal on the train for that price.
They also poke their noses into a £5,000 claim for 3 years worth of cleaning, £5,457 for a new kitchen and £219 for an air conditioning unit. All of these claims were explained perfectly adequately to the Telegraph, yet they decided to stick the boot in regardless.
I'm disappointed that the Telegraph today tarnished his good reputation without putting forward his side of the argument.
I always considered the Telegraph slightly better than a red-topped tabloid. Obviously I was mistaken.
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