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Johnson's web expenses rejected Johnson's web expenses rejected
(about 1 hour later)
Boris Johnson breached MP expenses rules by using his website to promote his mayoral bid and commercial interests, it has emerged.Boris Johnson breached MP expenses rules by using his website to promote his mayoral bid and commercial interests, it has emerged.
While MP for Henley in 2007, Mr Johnson claimed £500 for his website, which included links to his mayoral campaign site and the sale of his books.While MP for Henley in 2007, Mr Johnson claimed £500 for his website, which included links to his mayoral campaign site and the sale of his books.
The House of Commons rejected his claim as MPs can only have public money for sites which promote constituency work.The House of Commons rejected his claim as MPs can only have public money for sites which promote constituency work.
Mr Johnson said the episode was a "mistake" he had not been aware of.Mr Johnson said the episode was a "mistake" he had not been aware of.
Mr Johnson claimed the £500 from his MP's communications allowance for re-designing his website homepage in December 2007. Mr Johnson claimed the £500 from his MP's communications allowance for redesigning his website homepage in December 2007.
In a letter obtained by BBC London under the Freedom of Information Act, a parliamentary official told Mr Johnson that his claim was rejected because his website fell "significantly outside" the allowance guidelines.In a letter obtained by BBC London under the Freedom of Information Act, a parliamentary official told Mr Johnson that his claim was rejected because his website fell "significantly outside" the allowance guidelines.
This content is clearly beyond the scope of the communications allowance Letter from House of Commons officialThis content is clearly beyond the scope of the communications allowance Letter from House of Commons official
He wrote: "Your website contains links and material in support of your campaign for an elected office. This content is clearly beyond the scope of the communications allowance."He wrote: "Your website contains links and material in support of your campaign for an elected office. This content is clearly beyond the scope of the communications allowance."
Mr Johnson was also told he was breaking the expenses rules barring websites from being used "for advertising of a commercial nature".Mr Johnson was also told he was breaking the expenses rules barring websites from being used "for advertising of a commercial nature".
The official wrote: "We note that your website does contain links and a page titled Buy Boris, which advertises your own publications. This is not acceptable on a publicly funded website."The official wrote: "We note that your website does contain links and a page titled Buy Boris, which advertises your own publications. This is not acceptable on a publicly funded website."
Karen Buck, Labour MP for Regent's Park, said it was clear Mr Johnson should not have claimed taxpayers' money.Karen Buck, Labour MP for Regent's Park, said it was clear Mr Johnson should not have claimed taxpayers' money.
She said: "On the face of it, claims were being made for a political website which was about a mayoral campaign and was not particularly germane to the people of Henley."She said: "On the face of it, claims were being made for a political website which was about a mayoral campaign and was not particularly germane to the people of Henley."
Ms Buck added: "It's absolutely right that the parliamentary money and public money we are given for communications, websites and leaflets should not be about a different kind of political campaigning.Ms Buck added: "It's absolutely right that the parliamentary money and public money we are given for communications, websites and leaflets should not be about a different kind of political campaigning.
Some wonderful people in my office a year ago did mistakenly claim for funds to support a website and that claim was then rejected Boris JohnsonSome wonderful people in my office a year ago did mistakenly claim for funds to support a website and that claim was then rejected Boris Johnson
"It should not be about electioneering at all. It should be about your work as a member of parliament.""It should not be about electioneering at all. It should be about your work as a member of parliament."
Mr Johnson said the invalid expenses claim was mistakenly made by his office.Mr Johnson said the invalid expenses claim was mistakenly made by his office.
"Some wonderful people in my office a year ago did mistakenly claim for funds to support a website and that claim was then rejected," he said."Some wonderful people in my office a year ago did mistakenly claim for funds to support a website and that claim was then rejected," he said.
"I don't really think that I'm disposed to go back to those people, who are no longer working for me, and find out exactly what their thinking was.""I don't really think that I'm disposed to go back to those people, who are no longer working for me, and find out exactly what their thinking was."
Mr Johnson removed the mayoral election and commercial material his site. He subsequently submitted an expenses claim for £1,500 which was accepted.Mr Johnson removed the mayoral election and commercial material his site. He subsequently submitted an expenses claim for £1,500 which was accepted.
Labour's leader on the London Assembly, Len Duvall, said: "Boris was quick to score political points off his former colleagues for their mistakes and misdemeanours, while implying all along that he had done nothing wrong.Labour's leader on the London Assembly, Len Duvall, said: "Boris was quick to score political points off his former colleagues for their mistakes and misdemeanours, while implying all along that he had done nothing wrong.
"It's strange that he went out of his way to criticise MPs when he was playing fast and loose with the rules himself.""It's strange that he went out of his way to criticise MPs when he was playing fast and loose with the rules himself."
Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon said: "The rules over how MPs use taxpayer's money on websites are crystal clear, yet Boris Johnson clearly breached them and tried to misuse public money." Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said: "The rules over how MPs use taxpayers' money on websites are crystal clear, yet Boris Johnson clearly breached them and tried to misuse public money."