Conservatives to pay back pounds 250,000 of 'disproportionate' expenses claims.DAVID CAMERON stole another march in the expenses scandal yesterday, by announcing that Conservative MPs are repaying a staggering pounds 250,000 of "disproportionate" claims.The Tory leader said the move - an attempt to "atone for the mistakes of the past" - was in stark contrast to Labour and the Liberal Democrats, who continued to justify claims made "within the rules". The payback follows an in-house investigation by a scrutiny panel set up by Mr Cameron, which examined every second home claim made by Tory MPs over four years up to 2007-08. It uncovered a total of pounds 124,315.67 to be refunded by 41 MPs - covering everything from stamp duty Stamp Duty An ad-valorem or flat rate charged upon certain documents. Notes: This is an extra charge placed on documents. See also: Ad Valorem Tax Stamp duty Applies mainly to international equities. to swimming pool maintenance. Gosport Gosport (gŏs`pôrt), city (1991 pop. 69,664) and district, Hampshire, S England. The city is a major port and shares its harbor with Portsmouth. There are ship- and yacht-building facilities and various light industries. MP Sir Peter Viggers - who achieved infamy Notoriety; condition of being known as possessing a shameful or disgraceful reputation; loss of character or good reputation. At Common Law, infamy was an individual's legal status that resulted from having been convicted of a particularly reprehensible crime, rendering him when his claim for a floating duck house was rejected - is to repay pounds 10,000 in claims for garden maintenance and repairs. Last week, it was revealed that Conservative MPs had already repaid pounds 133,517 to the Commons fees office since the crisis broke - making a grand total of pounds 257,832. A further nine Tories, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling, the "Shadow Minister for Liverpool", will forego, or cut, their "second home" claims, saving the taxpayer pounds 108,600 over the next year.. CAPTION(S): David Cameron - ordered cash payback Chris Grayling - cash repaid |
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