Expenses watchdog failed to use common sense, says cleared MP

Appeals: Mike Gapes and Ann Cryer, who claimed she suffered a slur
12 April 2012

A senior Labour MP today blasted expenses auditor Sir Thomas Legg after he successfully appealed against a repayment demand.

Mike Gapes, MP for Ilford South and chairman of the influential Commons foreign affairs committee, accused Sir Thomas of failing to use "common sense" in reaching a judgment on his use of allowances.

His criticism came as Labour backbencher Ann Cryer, who also won her appeal, claimed Sir Thomas had "slurred" her reputation.

Former Cabinet minister Charles Clarke and senior Liberal Democrat MP Sir Alan Beith also announced that rulings against them had been overturned.

Mr Gapes had been told he should repay £186.89 for a claim for council tax for a rented flat but Sir Paul Kennedy, a former High Court judge who heard the appeals, concluded there were special reasons in his case.

Following the decision, the MP now faces having to repay only 40p which he admitted he had overclaimed due to a clerical error.

"I am delighted at this outcome which clears my name and reputation," Mr Gapes said. "But I regret that Sir Thomas Legg did not use common sense."

Labour MP for Keighley in West Yorkshire Mrs Cryer also appealed to Sir Paul and now will have to pay back £1,600 instead of an earlier request, thought to be around £19,000.

"I should never have been asked to pay that large amount — it was ludicrous. I believe Sir Thomas Legg went way beyond his remit," she said. "It wasn't just a question of the amount, it was a question of a slur made against me."

Norwich South MP Mr Clarke said he had been told he would not have to repay £743.64 billed for mortgage interest after Sir Paul accepted the way he dealt with his expenses meant he had underclaimed by more than he had overclaimed.

Berwick MP Sir Alan Beith said he would no longer have to repay public funds claimed for rent.

Harry Cohen, Labour MP for Leyton and Wanstead, was today set to be formally stripped of his "golden goodbye" of about £65,000 for breaching rules by wrongly claiming more than £60,000 in second home allowances.

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