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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| SF 'can claim London expenses' | SF 'can claim London expenses' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Sinn Fein MPs should still be allowed to claim hotel expenses when in London, a review of MPs' expenses has recommended. | Sinn Fein MPs should still be allowed to claim hotel expenses when in London, a review of MPs' expenses has recommended. |
| Sir Christopher Kelly's review committee was asked to overhaul the system after the expenses scandal. | Sir Christopher Kelly's review committee was asked to overhaul the system after the expenses scandal. |
| Unionist parties had said Sinn Fein should get no allowances as the party does not take its Westminster seats. | Unionist parties had said Sinn Fein should get no allowances as the party does not take its Westminster seats. |
| But the committee said the party's MPs should be allowed to claim hotel expenses in future. | But the committee said the party's MPs should be allowed to claim hotel expenses in future. |
| It also suggested that any MPs who attend Westminster "relatively infrequently" should not be allowed to claim expenses for permanent accommodation. | It also suggested that any MPs who attend Westminster "relatively infrequently" should not be allowed to claim expenses for permanent accommodation. |
| Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but have been entitled to allowances since a Commons vote in 2001. | Sinn Fein MPs do not take a salary but have been entitled to allowances since a Commons vote in 2001. |
| 'Particular circumstances' | |
| They had been claiming expenses for the rent of two London properties but earlier this year said that the leases had expired and that in future they would only use hotels, a decision welcomed by Sir Christopher's committee. | They had been claiming expenses for the rent of two London properties but earlier this year said that the leases had expired and that in future they would only use hotels, a decision welcomed by Sir Christopher's committee. |
| KELLY REPORT Committee on Standards in Public Life: MPs' expenses and allowances [976 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here | KELLY REPORT Committee on Standards in Public Life: MPs' expenses and allowances [976 KB] Most computers will open this document automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader Download the reader here |
| The committee noted that the decision to give Sinn Fein MPs the right to claim for the full range of expenses without taking up their seats in Parliament was "a political one, taken in the light of the particular circumstances of Northern Ireland." | |
| It added that removing that right would also be a political decision but that it does not intend to express a view on whether it is right or wrong in principle. | |
| The review has also recommended that MPs should not be allowed to "double job" as Stormont assembly members. | The review has also recommended that MPs should not be allowed to "double job" as Stormont assembly members. |
| Sixteen out of Northern Ireland's 18 MP's currently serve as assembly members. | Sixteen out of Northern Ireland's 18 MP's currently serve as assembly members. |
| Sir Christopher's team concluded that these dual mandates should end by the next Assembly elections in May 2011. | Sir Christopher's team concluded that these dual mandates should end by the next Assembly elections in May 2011. |
| It also recommended that the employment of relatives by MPs should cease - something that would effect a number of DUP MPs including Peter and Iris Robinson, Ian Paisley and Jeffrey Donaldson. | It also recommended that the employment of relatives by MPs should cease - something that would effect a number of DUP MPs including Peter and Iris Robinson, Ian Paisley and Jeffrey Donaldson. |
| This change would not have to take place until the end of the next Parliament. | This change would not have to take place until the end of the next Parliament. |