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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/george-galloway-referred-to-police-by-mp-expenses-watchdog-after-complaint-by-former-pa-10261372.html
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George Galloway referred to police by MP expenses watchdog after complaint by former PA | George Galloway referred to police by MP expenses watchdog after complaint by former PA |
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George Galloway's use of parliamentary funds has been referred to the police by an expenses watchdog following a complaint by his former assistant. | George Galloway's use of parliamentary funds has been referred to the police by an expenses watchdog following a complaint by his former assistant. |
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), which oversees MPs’ business costs and their use of public money, has investigated claims made by Aisha Ali-Khan. | |
She had lodged an official complaint alleging that while she worked for Mr Galloway, she spent a large amount of time on non-parliamentary duties including underwear shopping, making preparations for his wedding and helping the Viva Palestina charity. | |
Ms Ali-Khan’s lawyers claim that it amounted to a breach of obligations to use parliamentary funds to pay staff exclusively for associated functions and activities. Ms Ali-Khan joined Galloway's team shortly before he was elected MP for Bradford West in the March 2012 by-election | |
Trevor Asserson, a leading litigation solicitor representing Ms Ali-Khan, said his firm had analysed around 2,000 documents and records to estimate that she spent around 75 per cent of her time on non-parliamentary work. | |
“We have looked very carefully at the information and we believe this is a credible and compelling case,” he told The Independent. | |
Mr Galloway has previously denied the allegations and claimed his former employee had a “vendetta” against him after she was sacked. | Mr Galloway has previously denied the allegations and claimed his former employee had a “vendetta” against him after she was sacked. |
The Respect leader lost his seat as MP for Bradford West to Labour in the general election. | The Respect leader lost his seat as MP for Bradford West to Labour in the general election. |
A spokesperson for Ipsa said: “Ipsa’s compliance officer has completed his assessment of the George Galloway complaint and has passed it to the Metropolitan Police Service.” | |
Scotland Yard confirmed that they had received the referral and a spokesperson said the matter was "currently being assessed”. | |
A spokesperson for Mr Galloway could not be reached for comment. | |
Ms Ali-Khan was given a 12-month conditional discharge last year after admitting encouraging her partner, who was then in the Metropolitan Police, to access confidential emails. |