Expense Claims...

[Barman]

As has been mentioned in far more notable blogs than mine, the fact that they are repaying it is - to an extent - an admission of guilt. If a burglar returns a TV to the owner then he also could expect a criminal record and/or fine. Why not with these people?

And who would like a side bet that whatever they repay will be made-up in other ways, not yet in the public eye?

You have a blog...?

Yup, only an occasional thing though, in bouts of semi-sobriety 

I'll drag the link out of you will I? 

Not yet, I don't really like it 

Old Holborn just gave it away on GOM! 

[Miss Demeanour]

He forgot he had paid off his mortgage.

He FORGOT 

This is surely an open and shut case of fraud - he should be sacked today and a criminal investigation started immediately . Even he couldn't argue that this was 'within' the feckin rules 

[Barman]

Apparently Fabian Hamilton has been a very naughty boy, claiming mortgage expenses while living with his mother.

Lets see Gordo handle this one.

He forgot he had paid off his mortgage.

He FORGOT 

This is surely an open and shut case of fraud - he should be sacked today and a criminal investigation started immediately . Even he couldn't argue that this was 'within' the feckin rules 

Seconded...

Clearly not fit for office... 

[Snoopy]

As has been mentioned in far more notable blogs than mine, the fact that they are repaying it is - to an extent - an admission of guilt. If a burglar returns a TV to the owner then he also could expect a criminal record and/or fine. Why not with these people?

And who would like a side bet that whatever they repay will be made-up in other ways, not yet in the public eye?

You have a blog...?

Yup, only an occasional thing though, in bouts of semi-sobriety 

I'll drag the link out of you will I? 

Not yet, I don't really like it 

Old Holborn just gave it away on GOM! 

TBH None of them are very good ~ most seem to feel that foul language is a substitute for sound argument and too many rely on rehashing content from The Daily Mail and other such sources whereas the really good ones have sources of their own.
That is why Guido remains at Number One (despite OH's claims to such a huge readership ..... OH also neglects to tell us how many of the 10,000 mentioned are repeat viewers)

[Nick]

This guy has been allover the news this week condemning troughing. ANd lo.....

Norman Baker, the LibDem MP for Lewes who has been at the forefront of criticism of MPs over expenses claims, has today come under fire in his local newspaper, the Brighton Argus for claiming £7,500 rent for his parliamentary office - a building which he owns.
An MP who led criticism of Parliamentary expenses has admitted claiming about £20,000 from the taxpayer to rent an office he already owned. Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, claimed the cash to rent a constituency office in the building he had bought as his own home.

The 51-year-old has become a regular “talking head” on news programmes in recent days and repeatedly condemned the extravagant expenses claims which have outraged the nation this week.

His political opponents last night branded him a hypocrite after details emerged of his arrangement to claim money to rent the office space at the house he owned in High Street, Lewes.

Mr Baker said yesterday he had checked he was not breaking any rules before buying the house and making the claims. He said he had claimed roughly £7,500 a year for about three years after buying the house for £310,000 in September 2000.

He told The Argus: “I was entitled to claim money from the taxpayer for the rent of an office to carry out my parliamentary office.”...

Julian Lewis, a Conservative MP who crossed swords with Mr Baker when the Liberal made comments to a national newspaper in a story about Mr Lewis's expenses claims, said: “It is utter hypocrisy.

”

I am losing the capacity to be stunned 

[The Moan Ranger]

One down...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8049614.stm

[Nick]

He has not resigned as an MP. Nor has the fragrant mrs Kirkbride, who was in collusion with him over the scam

[Grumpmeister]

Where's a revolution when you need one.

I saw the BNP political broadcast last night, I have an uncomfortable feeling that they are going to make serious gains over the whole thing.

[Nick]

Watch the muppet wriggle

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8047587.stm

[Grumpmeister]

While he did wriggle he is the first MP to admit he is only paying it back because he was caught out.

[Nick]

Blears?

[Grumpmeister]

Squirrel Nutkin may have been the first to pay it back but she still hasnt directly said that she was in the wrong.

[Miss Demeanour]

Squirrel Nutkin may have been the first to pay it back but she still hasnt directly said that she was in the wrong.

She shouldn't be paying back her estimates of what would equate to the Capital gains tax  - but also pay back all of the profit that she has made from public funds   

[Grumpmeister]

The problem is that Gordo isnt going to dare and enforce that Miss D as the amount paid back would be the final nail in the coffing not just for the government but for the Labour and possibly the Conservative parties. I suspect that the Lib Dems will take a hit as well but nowhere near as much if Clegg is pushing it as part of his agenda.

[TG]

Apparently Fabian Hamilton has been a very naughty boy, claiming mortgage expenses while living with his mother.

Lets see Gordo handle this one.

He was just interviewed on talksport. Played the sympathy card, dying (now dead) mother. Had to look after her etc.

The Talksport interviewers are lightweights but didn't have any problems making him squirm. But there again, who would?