This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/8486317.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
MPs' expense claim appeals upheld MPs' expense claim appeals upheld
(40 minutes later)
Two MPs who lodged appeals against demands to pay back expenses have had their appeals upheld. Two MPs who lodged appeals against demands to pay back expenses have had their cases upheld.
With some 80 MPs due to hear if they were successful, Lib Dem Jeremy Browne has learned he will not have to return nearly £18,000 he was told to repay.With some 80 MPs due to hear if they were successful, Lib Dem Jeremy Browne has learned he will not have to return nearly £18,000 he was told to repay.
The Taunton MP contested auditor Sir Thomas Legg's ruling on claims for mortgage interest on his second home.The Taunton MP contested auditor Sir Thomas Legg's ruling on claims for mortgage interest on his second home.
Labour's Ann Cryer also won her appeal against a "substantial demand" but will repay £1,600 for three household items.Labour's Ann Cryer also won her appeal against a "substantial demand" but will repay £1,600 for three household items.
Sir Paul Kennedy, who was appointed to hear appeals, said Mr Browne acted "openly and honestly" when making his claim.Sir Paul Kennedy, who was appointed to hear appeals, said Mr Browne acted "openly and honestly" when making his claim.
Mr Browne said he felt relieved and vindicated, but "not elated".Mr Browne said he felt relieved and vindicated, but "not elated".
He was the first of the 80 MPs who challenged Sir Thomas's requests to repay money to make the results of his appeal public.He was the first of the 80 MPs who challenged Sir Thomas's requests to repay money to make the results of his appeal public.
Labour's Frank Cook, Frank Field and Patrick Hall and Tory Bernard Jenkin are also among those known to have appealed since the orders were made in October.Labour's Frank Cook, Frank Field and Patrick Hall and Tory Bernard Jenkin are also among those known to have appealed since the orders were made in October.
Claim justifiedClaim justified
Mr Browne, who is a Lib Dem Treasury spokesman, became MP for Taunton in 2005 and raised the deposit to buy a home in the constituency by remortgaging a London flat he had owned for several years.Mr Browne, who is a Lib Dem Treasury spokesman, became MP for Taunton in 2005 and raised the deposit to buy a home in the constituency by remortgaging a London flat he had owned for several years.
My name has been cleared and my reputation restored Lib Dem Jeremy BrowneMy name has been cleared and my reputation restored Lib Dem Jeremy Browne
It meant the mortgage on his London flat increased from £130,000 to £190,000 - he designated the flat as his "second home" and went on to claim expenses on the interest of the £190,000 mortgage.It meant the mortgage on his London flat increased from £130,000 to £190,000 - he designated the flat as his "second home" and went on to claim expenses on the interest of the £190,000 mortgage.
Sir Thomas said he should only have claimed interest on the £130,000 mortgage and asked Mr Browne to repay the difference - £17,894.24.Sir Thomas said he should only have claimed interest on the £130,000 mortgage and asked Mr Browne to repay the difference - £17,894.24.
But former judge Sir Paul has ruled that the MP's claims were justified after all and for "the very purpose" the second home allowance was designed for.But former judge Sir Paul has ruled that the MP's claims were justified after all and for "the very purpose" the second home allowance was designed for.
In a letter to Mr Browne, Sir Paul wrote: "My Terms of Reference require me to consider whether in your case there are special reasons showing that it would not be fair and equitable to require repayment either at all, or at the level recommended. In a letter to Mr Browne, Sir Paul wrote: "My terms of reference require me to consider whether in your case there are special reasons showing that it would not be fair and equitable to require repayment either at all, or at the level recommended.
"I find that such reasons do exist.""I find that such reasons do exist."
Mr Browne said on Thursday evening: "I have always maintained that I behaved properly when I used my own money to buy a home in Taunton and rejected alternative arrangements that would have actually cost the taxpayer more. Mr Browne said: "I have always maintained that I behaved properly when I used my own money to buy a home in Taunton and rejected alternative arrangements that would have actually cost the taxpayer more.
Ann Cryer said the repayment demand was a slur against herAnn Cryer said the repayment demand was a slur against her
"My name has been cleared and my reputation restored with the confirmation by Sir Paul Kennedy that I acted 'openly and honestly'."My name has been cleared and my reputation restored with the confirmation by Sir Paul Kennedy that I acted 'openly and honestly'.
"Although I feel vindicated I do not feel elated. The expenses revelations have severely damaged public trust in politics.""Although I feel vindicated I do not feel elated. The expenses revelations have severely damaged public trust in politics."
Ann Cryer, Labour MP for Keighley, West Yorkshire, said she was "pleased" the matter had been "clarified".Ann Cryer, Labour MP for Keighley, West Yorkshire, said she was "pleased" the matter had been "clarified".
"It wasn't just a question of the amount, it was a question of a slur made against me."It wasn't just a question of the amount, it was a question of a slur made against me.
"My claim in the first place for the rent was absolutely legitimate, it was honest and no blame could be attached to me," she said."My claim in the first place for the rent was absolutely legitimate, it was honest and no blame could be attached to me," she said.
Retrospective limits
Of the £1,600 she has been told to repay, Mrs Cryer, who is standing down at this year's general election, said: "I am actually paying what I offered to pay about three or four years ago.Of the £1,600 she has been told to repay, Mrs Cryer, who is standing down at this year's general election, said: "I am actually paying what I offered to pay about three or four years ago.
"I have no complaints about that.""I have no complaints about that."
Gordon Brown asked Sir Thomas to look for mistakes made in expenses claims approved by the Commons Fees Office over five years, when the expenses scandal broke in May. when the expenses scandal broke in May, Gordon Brown asked Sir Thomas to look for mistakes made in expenses claims approved by the Commons Fees Office over five years.
But Sir Thomas angered many MPs by applying his own retrospective limits on what he thought should have been claimed for gardening and cleaning.But Sir Thomas angered many MPs by applying his own retrospective limits on what he thought should have been claimed for gardening and cleaning.
Meanwhile government sources have confirmed to the BBC that International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander did not have to repay any money for his expenses claims.
Sir Thomas had originally queried a payment of £420 for garage doors which he said was duplicate, but following an exchange of correspondence, the claim was dropped and Mr Alexander was not among those appealing.