MP number 4 pleads guilty

Today (April 7th, 2011) a fourth MP (Elliot Morley) has pleaded guilty to stealing £30,000 expenses. This money comprised expenses relating to mortgage costs over a three year period together with a loan that had already been paid off.

It is extremely hard to believe that he did not know that one mortgage had been paid off when he continued claiming for it, and then to overclaim for another just beggars belief. We now have to wait until the 12 May to find out how long he will have to serve in prison.

Rail Union Boss lives in subsidised housing

In today's Sunday Times, it is revealed that Bob Crow, the firebrand leader of the Rail Maritme & Transport Union, lives (with his partner) in accomodation meant for poor people who cannot afford to get onto the housing ladder, yet he is paid (in 2009) £145,548 according to the latest RMT accounts. He should be required to pay the full economic price of the accomodation or buy a house (without any discount).

Three MP's have already been jailed for stealing less money from the House of Commons. Why aren't the CPS reviewing whether Mr Crow should be charged with theft as well?

Another ex-MP is jailed for Expenses fraud

Yesterday (31 March 2011), Jim Devine, the ex-MP for Livingstone, was jailed for 16 months for defrauding the MP's expenses system of over £8,000. He declared himself bankrupt to avoid paying his ex-secretary £35,000 in redundancy payments and (probably) around £40,000 in fines and legal expenses.


The expenses fraud was bad enough, but to go bankrupt just to avoid (evade) paying your ex-secretary redundancy and your lawyers fees is absolutely unforgiveable.