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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| MP's anger at first class 'ban' | MP's anger at first class 'ban' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Retiring MP Sir Nicholas Winterton says expenses proposals to restrict first class travel by MPs "infuriates" him. | Retiring MP Sir Nicholas Winterton says expenses proposals to restrict first class travel by MPs "infuriates" him. |
| He told Total Politics Magazine that the ban "puts us below local councillors" and meant they would have to "stand when there are no seats". | He told Total Politics Magazine that the ban "puts us below local councillors" and meant they would have to "stand when there are no seats". |
| The Tory MP also accused Sir Thomas Legg, the man who carried out a review of expenses claims, of "raking it in". | The Tory MP also accused Sir Thomas Legg, the man who carried out a review of expenses claims, of "raking it in". |
| Proposals to change the expenses system say MPs should "always consider value for money in purchasing tickets". | Proposals to change the expenses system say MPs should "always consider value for money in purchasing tickets". |
| Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas repaid £850 after the Legg Inquiry found he had been overpaid for council tax bills on his second home. | |
| 'Much worse' | 'Much worse' |
| He and MP wife Ann Winterton, who is also standing down, faced criticism for claiming rent of £20,000 a year on a flat they transferred to a family trust after paying off the mortgage. | He and MP wife Ann Winterton, who is also standing down, faced criticism for claiming rent of £20,000 a year on a flat they transferred to a family trust after paying off the mortgage. |
| Sir Nicholas said the reforms being introduced following the expenses scandal would "make things much worse". | Sir Nicholas said the reforms being introduced following the expenses scandal would "make things much worse". |
| "They want to stop Members of Parliament travelling first class," he said. | "They want to stop Members of Parliament travelling first class," he said. |
| "That puts us below local councillors and officers of local government. They all travel first class. Majors in the army travel first class. | "That puts us below local councillors and officers of local government. They all travel first class. Majors in the army travel first class. |
| The actual cost of the [Legg] review is currently over £1.1m. These are megabucks. Sir Nicholas Winterton | The actual cost of the [Legg] review is currently over £1.1m. These are megabucks. Sir Nicholas Winterton |
| "So we are supposed to stand when there are no seats. And why are we going to waste our time when we can work on the train as we do? I'm sorry, it infuriates me." | "So we are supposed to stand when there are no seats. And why are we going to waste our time when we can work on the train as we do? I'm sorry, it infuriates me." |
| A seven-month inquiry into MPs' expenses last year recommended a series of changes to overhaul the system and improve public trust. | A seven-month inquiry into MPs' expenses last year recommended a series of changes to overhaul the system and improve public trust. |
| Among the proposals, currently under consideration by a new expenses body, is one saying MPs should "be permitted to claim for first class train travel for longer journeys where issues of space or privacy in which to work make this appropriate". | Among the proposals, currently under consideration by a new expenses body, is one saying MPs should "be permitted to claim for first class train travel for longer journeys where issues of space or privacy in which to work make this appropriate". |
| But it says MPs "should always ensure that value for money for the taxpayer is provided when making travel arrangements". | But it says MPs "should always ensure that value for money for the taxpayer is provided when making travel arrangements". |
| It also recommends that they should only claim for economy class flights within the UK or Europe and stop claiming for first class travel for their families. | It also recommends that they should only claim for economy class flights within the UK or Europe and stop claiming for first class travel for their families. |
| Sir Nicholas said that when he became an MP in 1971 he was told by the head of the Commons Fees Office that he did not have to account for how he spent his allowances. | Sir Nicholas said that when he became an MP in 1971 he was told by the head of the Commons Fees Office that he did not have to account for how he spent his allowances. |
| "He said, 'This is the figure. If you spend a pound over it, you won't get that pound back but you can spend that allowance how you like. It is there for you to spend at your discretion'." | "He said, 'This is the figure. If you spend a pound over it, you won't get that pound back but you can spend that allowance how you like. It is there for you to spend at your discretion'." |
| Sir Nicholas also criticised the money spent on Sir Thomas Legg's audit of all claims made under the second homes allowance dating back five years - and on paying Sir Thomas. | Sir Nicholas also criticised the money spent on Sir Thomas Legg's audit of all claims made under the second homes allowance dating back five years - and on paying Sir Thomas. |
| "The man is raking it in. Do you know how much he has earned for chairing the review? He has earned so far £142,000. | "The man is raking it in. Do you know how much he has earned for chairing the review? He has earned so far £142,000. |
| "And the actual cost of the review is currently over £1.1m. These are megabucks." | "And the actual cost of the review is currently over £1.1m. These are megabucks." |