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MP 'sorry' over hotel film claims | MP 'sorry' over hotel film claims |
(about 14 hours later) | |
Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has said he was wrong to claim back the cost of hotel pay-per-view films on his parliamentary expenses. | Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has said he was wrong to claim back the cost of hotel pay-per-view films on his parliamentary expenses. |
The DUP representative said he had repaid more than £660 to the Commons' fees office. | The DUP representative said he had repaid more than £660 to the Commons' fees office. |
At the weekend, the Daily Telegraph revealed Mr Donaldson had submitted 68 receipts related to films in 2004-5. | At the weekend, the Daily Telegraph revealed Mr Donaldson had submitted 68 receipts related to films in 2004-5. |
Mr Donaldson also said he regretted innuendo in some media that the films could have been pornographic in nature. | Mr Donaldson also said he regretted innuendo in some media that the films could have been pornographic in nature. |
"I have been very clear about the nature of those films and what I was watching," he said. | "I have been very clear about the nature of those films and what I was watching," he said. |
"I did not at any time watch a film that was adult in nature. | "I did not at any time watch a film that was adult in nature. |
"The films that I watched on pay TV would have been films that you would have seen in the cinema. | |
"Unfortunately, because of my security situation at the time, my family and I can't go to the cinema, so I took the opportunity to watch some of the films at the hotel." | "Unfortunately, because of my security situation at the time, my family and I can't go to the cinema, so I took the opportunity to watch some of the films at the hotel." |
His receipts for the year 2004-5 contained charges for room service, in-room media and Video Pay TV. | His receipts for the year 2004-5 contained charges for room service, in-room media and Video Pay TV. |
However, Mr Donaldson said he should not have claimed for these items. | However, Mr Donaldson said he should not have claimed for these items. |
"The room service charges were all on the hotel bills. I submitted the hotel bills in block to the fees office," he said. | "The room service charges were all on the hotel bills. I submitted the hotel bills in block to the fees office," he said. |
"What I should have done was separate out the cost of the room service charges. I recognise that and that was wrong and that's why I repaid the room service charges for all of the items | "What I should have done was separate out the cost of the room service charges. I recognise that and that was wrong and that's why I repaid the room service charges for all of the items |
"The items for rooms service charge should have been separated out from the hotel bills and I should have paid for those myself. | "The items for rooms service charge should have been separated out from the hotel bills and I should have paid for those myself. |
"It was wrong that I didn't pay for these items myself. I recognise that and that was why I repaid these items." | "It was wrong that I didn't pay for these items myself. I recognise that and that was why I repaid these items." |
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