Expenses row: Local MPs in a 'pickle'
THE MPs expenses row has hit Grimsby – with Austin Mitchell squarely in the spotlight.
As MPs gathered in Grimsby last night for BBC’s Question Time, the UK public was reeling from a flurry of minister suspensions and resignations. But the story of the day lay with the Great Grimsby MP, who laughed off claims for 67p worth of biscuits and 68p for a jar of Branston pickle as “irrelevant trivia”.
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Austin Mitchell
However, other local MPs failed to see the funny side of the controversy that has dogged Westminster for the past seven days.
Cleethorpes and Immingham MP Shona McIsaac said she was “shocked and gobsmacked” by some of the expenses claimed by some of her colleagues.
She said it was easy for ministers to enter Government full of ideals and then become institutionalised by a Parliament that she said is like
“Hogwarts”.
Sir Peter Tapsell, Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, said he “shares the dismay of others”.
He said: “I do feel that expenses should be made public. I can assure you I have been scrupulously careful not to abuse the system in any way.”
Scunthorpe MP Elliot Morley was yesterday suspended by the Labour Party after it was discovered he had claimed £16,000 for interest payments on a mortgage he had already paid off.
Mitchell: 'I'm off to a seminar to learn how to clean my moat'
McIsaac: 'Parliament is like Hogwarts'
Tapsell: 'I have been scrupulously careful'
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by warrior, Cleethorpes.
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 6:33PM
“Neil M,
Of course I am not a 'waste of ignorant space,' Because I not not ignorant I am not in that 'space.' But I am a breath of fragrant fresh air to intelligence. Some thing YOU and the wacko BNP will never be.
I'm winding you up tighter than, "The old Grandfather's clock." I bet your 'Jackboots' are really, click, click, clicking, or should that be "stamping in anger?"”
by neil murphy, bulgaria
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 4:30PM
“Warrior... you are a waste of ignorant space.Your comments are very much like playground insults.
condemnation without investigation is ignorance.”
by neil murphy, bulgaria
Tuesday, May 19 2009, 1:26PM
“Warrior... you are a disgrace to your race.Hang your head in shame.
Obviously you dont subscribe to democracy.
Warrior wrote...
Aren't they known as the "Jackboot Party"? Don't they have links to Nazism?
If I am wrong, then I apologise,
You really havent a clue, have you.
We'll negotiate a withdrawal from the EEC, which has drained our national resources and destroyed jobs. Tony Blair (Sedgefield Election Campaign 1983).”
by warrior, Cleethorpes
Monday, May 18 2009, 6:43PM
“The BEST alternative is to IGNORE the BNP and NEVER,NEVER,NEVER vote for them.
If you're not happy, DON'T vote at all, but don't give THEM your vote.
YOU WILL REGRET IT IF YOU DO!”
by neil murphy, bulgaria
Monday, May 18 2009, 11:59AM
“Alternative vote? There are no alternatives to the BNP. All the other parties have been tarred with the same brush dipped in the same pot of corruption. Dilution? That's what they're trying to do to the indigenous population. Now they want to do it to the democratic vote as well? Protest vote? The only thing Britons have to protest about is what those same parties have done to them. How can you vote for one of these sham political facades and ever look yourself in the face again? Vote BNP and feel yourself grow a couple of inches.
I'm voting for common sense, decency, openness, freedom of speech, honesty & loyalty to the British peoples'.”
by warrior, Cleethorpes
Saturday, May 16 2009, 10:33AM
“Yes, dave, grimsby,
I am a Labour supporter, and yes, they are not doing too good at present, but I am sure things will get better, maybe with a new leader?
But even if they don't, I would NEVER vote for a fascist party like the BNP. You should be ashamed to call yourself an Englishman. (you are English?) Anyone voting for the BNP should be deported to the North Pole, and without a tent.
If you are joining the BNP that you "can't really afford," just because you don't like the comments of one person, then you really are an imbecile.
I fully agree with the comments of RN_Sailor. And I could use a few more choice words too.”
by warrior, Cleethorpes
Saturday, May 16 2009, 9:57AM
“susan, cleethorpes, webbit and anybody asking the same question, look at my post, 15 May, 14-45. The answwer is there.”
by Observer, Nearby
Saturday, May 16 2009, 9:12AM
“Grimsby could well get a new MP next year.
Labour MPs who cheat on expenses will be deselected¿ PM gives Monday deadline to log claims
¿ Malik is first minister to step down
Patrick Wintour and Nicholas Watt guardian.co.uk, Friday 15 May 2009 22.14 BST Article historyAny Labour MP found to have made improper expenses claims will be automatically deselected and barred from standing at the next general election as the party desperately tries to overcome the constitutional crisis facing parliament.
This radical proposal is expected to be agreed next week by Labour's national executive, a move that acknowledges the deep anger among voters to the escalating scandal over MPs' claims.”
by Ruth, cleethorpes
Saturday, May 16 2009, 8:56AM
“I'd like to know why fraud has'nt come into this with them stealing the tax payers money?? I'm pretty sure that if it was a normal tax paying citizen it would be the case!”
by susan, cleethorpes
Saturday, May 16 2009, 7:58AM
“Hopefully the media (Telegraph) will now use the freedom of information Act to investigate our councillors and council executives expenses.”