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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Minister broke claims guidelines | Minister broke claims guidelines |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen has been found guilty of breaking Holyrood guidelines on mortgage claims. | Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen has been found guilty of breaking Holyrood guidelines on mortgage claims. |
| The Scottish Lib Dem leader claimed an allowance for his second home in Edinburgh, on which he had a joint mortgage in place. | The Scottish Lib Dem leader claimed an allowance for his second home in Edinburgh, on which he had a joint mortgage in place. |
| The Scottish Parliamentary Body (SPCB) said the rules were clear that MSPs were only entitled to reimbursement of mortgages in their own name after 2001. | The Scottish Parliamentary Body (SPCB) said the rules were clear that MSPs were only entitled to reimbursement of mortgages in their own name after 2001. |
| However, it accepted that he had made no financial gain. | However, it accepted that he had made no financial gain. |
| The SPCB noted that the amount of his claim was exactly the same whether the mortgage arrangement was in his name only or joint names. | The SPCB noted that the amount of his claim was exactly the same whether the mortgage arrangement was in his name only or joint names. |
| I very much regret this error Nicol Stephen | I very much regret this error Nicol Stephen |
| Therefore, there was no additional cost to the public purse. | Therefore, there was no additional cost to the public purse. |
| The SPCB accepted that the claim had been made in error and was satisfied that Mr Stephen had not made an improper use of allowances. | The SPCB accepted that the claim had been made in error and was satisfied that Mr Stephen had not made an improper use of allowances. |
| Under the rules, MSPs who represent a constituency that is outwith commuting distance of the parliament are entitled to the allowance. | Under the rules, MSPs who represent a constituency that is outwith commuting distance of the parliament are entitled to the allowance. |
| As MSP for Aberdeen South, Mr Stephen is entitled to claim for the interest on a mortgage for a second home in the capital. | As MSP for Aberdeen South, Mr Stephen is entitled to claim for the interest on a mortgage for a second home in the capital. |
| However, members are only allowed to claim if their name is the only one on the mortgage. | However, members are only allowed to claim if their name is the only one on the mortgage. |
| This breach serves as a reminder to all members to ensure they are alert to every detail of the allowance scheme SPCB | This breach serves as a reminder to all members to ensure they are alert to every detail of the allowance scheme SPCB |
| Mr Stephen has been claiming £9,000 a year allowances on a £190,000 home he bought with his wife in February 2002. | Mr Stephen has been claiming £9,000 a year allowances on a £190,000 home he bought with his wife in February 2002. |
| He said he "fully acknowledged" there has been a breach of guidance. | He said he "fully acknowledged" there has been a breach of guidance. |
| "I very much regret this error," he said. | "I very much regret this error," he said. |
| "I sincerely believed the arrangements I had put in place were acceptable. | "I sincerely believed the arrangements I had put in place were acceptable. |
| "Neither I nor my wife have benefited in any way and there has been no additional cost to the parliament as a result." | "Neither I nor my wife have benefited in any way and there has been no additional cost to the parliament as a result." |
| 'Acted promptly' | 'Acted promptly' |
| He said he had "acted promptly" to resolve these issues with the parliament. | He said he had "acted promptly" to resolve these issues with the parliament. |
| "As indicated in my letter to the parliament's chief executive, I have already taken steps to transfer the property and the mortgage into my sole name," he said. | "As indicated in my letter to the parliament's chief executive, I have already taken steps to transfer the property and the mortgage into my sole name," he said. |
| A parliament spokesman said: "The SPCB concluded that this breach served as a reminder to all members to ensure they are alert to every detail of the allowance scheme and the handbook issued to them as guidance." | A parliament spokesman said: "The SPCB concluded that this breach served as a reminder to all members to ensure they are alert to every detail of the allowance scheme and the handbook issued to them as guidance." |
| Earlier this month, Presiding Officer George Reid said the scheme would be reviewed. | |
| 'Final nail' | |
| It has been the subject of persistent criticism in recent years by Solidarity MSP Tommy Sheridan. | |
| He said: "This is yet another example of MSPs bending the rules to suit themselves and getting away with it. | |
| "If Nicol Stephen had been a social security claimant wrongly getting benefit he would be in court or jail by now, but the parliament is lightly rapping his knuckles. | |
| "This case is the final nail in the coffin of the expenses scheme - it should be suspended immediately and the profits made by over 50 members handed back to the parliament." |