Allowancesgate: “Dave” sending out mixed messages?
Your news team yesterday reported how the Speaker of The House (aka “Gorbals Mick”).was resorting to the High Court in a desperate bid to delay publication of MPs expenses under Parliament’s notoriously abused Additional Claim Allowances (ACA). We also reported on how Dave “Hug-a-Hoodie” Cameron was reported as being “furious” over this blatant delaying tactic – thus giving the impression to the naïve that he supported full disclosure of MPs expenses. We pointed out that we found his “fury” somewhat strange because, as far as we could tell, he has failed to lead by example by publishing the detail of his own, very considerable, claiming activities in the public domain. This being particularly odd considering that there is absolutely nothing stopping him from doing so!
However, today, the mystery has deepened somewhat. According to a report in the Daily Mail, when a number of MPs were asked: “why they had not freely published details of their second homes allowance between 2001 and 2006” Dave is quoted as offering: “a general breakdown of his £21,359 expenses”. Are we the only ones wondering why Mr “Furious” is only, apparently, willing to offer a “general” breakdown of his claims? This, after all, is OUR money – surely we are entitled to know the details! Heaven forbid that anyone should consider Dave a hypocrite!
To quote further from the Daily Mail article, which may be read in full: here:-
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“Thirteen current and former MPs were asked by the Daily Mail why they had not freely published details of their second homes allowance between 2001 and 2006.
Gordon Brown’s spokesman was asked the same question by political reporters yesterday. He said the premier was “completely relaxed” about revealing his expenses but that the High Court action made it a matter for the Commons authorities.
David Cameron offered a “general” breakdown of his £21,359 expenses.
Tony Blair insisted it was a matter for the Commons as did Peter Mandelsonand Mark Oaten.
Sir Menzies Campbell was “thinking about” publishing while George Osborne said he would publish new expenses from next month.
William Hague said he would publish and was angry with the stance taken by the Commons authorities.
Labour’s John Prescott, Margaret Beckett, Barbara Follett, Alan Keen and wife Ann Keen did not respond to calls. Ex-Tory MP John Wilkinson could not be contacted.
All the the politicians, including Mr Brown, were the target of the Freedom of Information campaign.”
Curiously, the communist dominated United Against Fascism (UAF) gang claim a number of second-home ACA claimant MPs amongst their odious supporters – none of whom, as far as we are aware, are willing to provide detailed breakdowns in relation to their HUGE ACA claims! In addition to Dave, we have notable lefties Harry Cohen (Leyton) and Jon Cruddas (Dagenham). Could it be that their objection to the BNP is not political, as is the current perceived wisdom, but rather the fact that they object to us asking questions relating to their financial affairs involving our money? After all, do these three claimants really want the public to know that between them – over the last six years for which accounts have been published – that they have received OVER £300,000 in ACA alone! Probably not!
