Forum Topic

Alan & Ann Keen on the "theyworkforyou.com"

Just come across this website which gives info on the voting record, expenses etc of the two MPs. Not sure if its been mentioned before.http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/ann_keen/brentford_and_isleworthhttp://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/alan_keen/feltham_and_heston

Neil Chippendale ● 6579d37 Comments

According to page 5 of today's Hounslow Chronicle, the House of Commons has appealed the Information Commissioner's ruling that the House of Commons should release details of Ann and Alan Keen's expenses. The appeal was lodged on 12th July - the final day of the 28 day appeal period. The issue will now go to an Appeal Tribunal for a hearing in August.The article says "the Keens have repeatedly refused to explain publicly how nearly £100,000 of allowances claimed between 2001 and 2004 have been spent. ""There have been persistent rumours  that they have a mortgage on a second home in Covent Garden which is paid foer by claims under the additional costs allowances" says the Chronicle.It will be interesting to hear of the Appeals Tribunals' ruling in August.

David Giles ● 6522d

Are you still at it David!!

Hugh Telford ● 6541d

PaulYes you are correct. Both Mary Macleod, the Conservative PPC, and Councillor Andrew Dakers have pledged that they will not claim the allowance if elected as MP's.However in Andrew's case the pledge is fairly meaningless in view of the rapid decline of the Liberal Democrats locally and nationally since it became semi-detached branch of the Labour Party.Only Mary Macleod has a serious chance of beating Ann Keen and all of those who have been appalled by Ann and Alan Keen's behaviour should support her at the next General Election

David Giles ● 6541d

"Everyone should buy the Chronicle for themselves but the story is based on a letter I wrote to the Chronicle similar to a posting I made on this site":I would love to buy the Chronicle but it's not available from my local newsagent in New South Wales.Ps I still vote in the UK.

Neil Chippendale ● 6541d

Thank you David and I do usually buy a copy of the Chronicle each week and intend doing so tonight or tomorrow.Incidently,I believe that Cllr Andrew Dakers has also pledged that he would also not claim the expenses in question if elected as an MP.

Paul Fisher ● 6542d

Everyone should buy the Chronicle for themselves but the story is based on a letter I wrote to the Chronicle similar to a posting I made on this site:QUOTE"Ann Keen,MP for Brentford and Isleworth, and her husband, Alan Keen, MP for Feltham and Heston, have been named in a Freedom of Information Complaint against the House of Commons which was the subject of a  Decision by the Information Commissioner, Richard Thomas, on 13th June 2007.The Complaint was made to the Information Commissioner because the House of Commons refused to provide information regarding the Additional Costs Allowances claimed by the named MP's. "Additional Cost Allowances are claimed by MP's for constituencies  outside Inner London in respect of accommodation in London. The Keens are entitled to and both claim Additional Cost Allowances because their constituences are in Outer London even though their home in Brentford is less than 10 miles from the House of Commons."In 2005/06, Ann Keen claimed £15,794 and Alan Keen claimed £14,494 in Additional Costs Allowances out of their total expenses claims of  £127,385 and £124,570 respectively."For details see:http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/decisionnotices/2007/fs_50071451.pdf"The other MP mentioned is Barbara Follett MP for Stevenage. The EU Commissioner, Peter Mandelson,the former MP for Hartlepool, is also named in the Decison as are John Wilknison, the former MP for Ruislip and Tony Blair, the former MP for Sedgefield. "It appears that the House of Commons has 28 days in which to appeal against the decision and 35 days in which to provide the information. If the House of Commons does not appeal by 11th July, then the House of Commons has to provide the information by 18th July 2007."UNQUOTEThe Chronicle article says quite a bit more than my on my posting and contains pictures of the Keens and Councillor Andrew Dakers and Mary Macleod, the Conservative PPC.Mary Macleod has said she will not not claim the Additional Costs Allowance.

David Giles ● 6542d

Can anybody give us a brief summary on what was reported about the K££ns in yesterdays Chronicle as I will not be able to access a copy until tomorrow?Thanks

Paul Fisher ● 6542d

Tell us more.Chronicle is not online so can't access it

Neil Chippendale ● 6542d

Well, Ann Keen has been promoted to Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Department of Health.Both of the Keens feature prominently on front page of today's "Hounslow Chronicle" - but in not a very flattering way.

David Giles ● 6543d

I'd have thought they were keeping quite at the moment because Ann Keen must be expecting promotion now her buddy is PM and she doesn't want any bad publicity.

Neil Chippendale ● 6550d

Perhaps this explains why the Keen have been keeping a low profile lately.

David Giles ● 6551d

Thank you for this information.It is very interesting to note that the Keens, along with Tony Blair, John Wilkinson, Barbara Follett and Peter Mandelson have named in this complaint.Perhaps this may be part of the reason for the Keens' silence on this issue recently.It is also interesting that the complaint focuses on the Additional Cost Allowances.John Wilkinson and Barbara Follett are MP's for constituencies close to London.Tony Blair is an interesting case because he has a constituency home in Sedgefield as well as his various properties in London and Bristol.Peter Mandelson is no longer an MP but when he was MP for Hartlepool, he will undoubtably have claimed the Additional Cost Allowances in respect of his various London homes.

David Giles ● 6555d

Failure to comply may result in the Information Commissioner writing to the High Court and the possibility of it being dealt with as contempt of court . (At least that was how I read paragraph 54. - I must look up Section 54 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

Tim Henderson ● 6555d

Looking at the Decision Notice athttp://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/decisionnotices/2007/fs_50071451.pdfwhich was dated 13th Juneit appears that the House has 28 days in which to appeal against the decision and 35 days in which to provide the information. Interestingly this particular decision notice refers to six named MPs including the Keens (together with Blair,Barbara Follett, Mandelson and John Wilkinson). Other decision notices (presumably raised by different complainants) sought information regarding other MPs.

Tim Henderson ● 6555d

Andrew,I am afraid I do not know the timeframe  but hopefully it will be before the Next General Election. The Information Commissioner has ordered the House of Commons to release the information but the House of Commons may refuse to do so. In that case, the Information Commissioner may have to take legal action against the House of Commons in order to enforce compliance. Knowing this Government, it is possible that the present Information Commissioner may be removed from office before that happens. After all that is what the Government likes to do when public watchdogs, like the Parliamentary Ombudsman, do their jobs properly.The full text of the Information Comissioner's press release is on :http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/pressreleases/2007/additional_cost_allowance_15.06.07.pdf

David Giles ● 6555d

Any idea when this information will be available David?

Andrew Sibley ● 6557d

Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, ruled earlier this week that the public had a right to know more about the "Additional Allowances" claimed by parliamentarians like Ann and Alan Keen.As a result of this decision, a breakdown will be published for each MP, specifying the total amounts spent on mortgages, hotel expenses, food, services charges, utilities, telecoms bills,furnishings, cleaning, insurance and security.

David Giles ● 6557d

Yes. It will be interesting to see if more will be revealed !

David Giles ● 6560d

According to the BBC report, we might learn more......http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6757683.stmMPs have been ordered to reveal more details about how much they claim in "additonal expenses".MPs can claim £23,083 to cover the cost of having two homes - one in their constituency and one in Westminster.The Information Commissioner says they must now say how much of that is spent on different items such as cleaners, mortgage payments and burglar alarms......

Tim Henderson ● 6562d

Alan Keen played in matches against Aussie MP's

Neil Chippendale ● 6562d

AndrewMaybe you should ask Ann Keen !

David Giles ● 6563d

What are "incidental expenses" ?

Andrew Sibley ● 6565d

Of course they went as members of a parliamentary cricket delegation and not as a husband and wife. I wonder if they took part in any of the matches ?

David Giles ● 6565d

Oh no, is there no release for him?

Gareth Evans ● 6566d

GarethAnn went too !

David Giles ● 6566d

3 weeks away from Ann Keen over Christmas, spent on the other side of the world - classic. Well done Alan, you pulled a right plan off there.

Gareth Evans ● 6567d

According to www.theyworkforyou.com, Ann Keen MP has registered the following trips in the Register of Members Interests:"18-23 May 2006, to the United Arab Emirates with all-party delegation to meet Government representatives, as guest of the Government of the UAE. The cost of flights and accommodation was met by the Government of the UAE. (Registered 15 August 2006)"16 December 2006-7 January 2007, to Australia and New Zealand with the Lords and Commons Cricket Team for inter-parliamentary matches. I was accompanied by my husband and son and I paid my own and my family's travel and accommodation costs. Sponsorship was received from Diageo, Microsoft, Colliers, Vauxhall, Visa and the Australian Parliament Sports Club which was given to the following charities: the Trew Foundation (New Zealand), the Lord's Taverners (Australia) and Chance to Shine (UK), with the exception of a small proportion retained for incidental expenses. (Registered 27 March 2007)".Alan Keen also went on the 3 week trip to Australia and New Zealand over Christmas and New Year 2006/2007.

David Giles ● 6567d

According to www.theyworkforyou.com, Ann has spoken in only 2 debates in the last year — well below average amongst MPs.

David Giles ● 6567d

Is this part of New Labour's'Best Value'initiative...?Can I have my money back please?

Keith Iddon ● 6567d

According to the independent website www.theyworkforyou.com, our local MP, Ann Keen , has charged the taxpayers an increasing amount for her expenses in each year since when she was re-elected by a small majority in 2002:Additional Costs Allowance (Flat in Central London)2005/06 £15,794 2004/05 £15,439 2003/04 £17,669 2002/03 £19,722 (Highest amount claimed by any MP)2001/02 £9,633.As interest rates are now rising quite steeply these costs will probably be higher in 2006/07 than in 2005/06. Mrs Keen has never explained why she needs a tax-payer funded home in Central London in addition to her own home in Brentford.Incidental Expenses Provision 2005/06 £19,9162004/05 £14,261 2003/04 £14,246 2002/03) £12,557 Staffing Allowance 2005/06 £83,358 2004/05 £75,901 2003/04 £74,985 (8th) 2002/03 £67,775 Centrally Purchased Stationery 2005/06 £1,223 2004/05 £1,5942003/04 £1,265 2002/04 £1,605Associated Postage Costs 2005/06 £2,647 2004/05 £3,424 2003/04 £2,407 Centrally Provided Computer Equipment 2005/06 £0 2004/05 £1,885 2003/04 £1,885 2002/03 £1,885Other Costs 2005/06 £4,447 Total Expenses2005/06 £127,385 2004/05 £112,504 2003/04 £112,4572002/03 £103,812 

David Giles ● 6567d

Thanks Andrew - I have heard it several times now as they keep repeating it on LBC, with updates.

Sarah Felstead ● 6576d

Or "theydontworkforus"

Simon Anderson ● 6576d

The trouble is that the Keens don't work for us, they seem to think that we the electorate don't matter outside of when the Keens stand for election. The Keens won't even work with the local authority. They are a total disgrace to democracy and they deserve to be caned at the next election.

Gareth Evans ● 6576d

SarahI'm not too sure about 2 shags writing a book, he has been too busy with his "extra curricular" activities, don't bear thinking about does itYes I also heard the interview with this very inspirational man, it only goes tp confirms my perception of this so called Socialist/Caring/New Labour "lot", who are only interested in screwing us for every penny they can get.The delay in paying him his truly deserved compensation, is nothing short of a disgrace. I recall the story of a young scroat/toerag who resisted arrest, and had his ear damaged by a police dog, the dog was put down, and this moron received £20,000 in compensation. The question I would ask is "where are all the Human Rights lawyers" who swarm around criminals, defending their rights, but apparently he is not worth the trouble or effort. As regards the interview Sarah I believe it is available to download on the LBC website.

Account suspended ● 6579d

With regard MP's expenses I still think there should be stricter regulation around them so that the extremes are examined.My question on this subject would be - which Country are we in today, chaps?Wouldn't it have been a nice parting shot for the 'Tony and John show' to have tidied up a number of pressing issues in this Country before tucking themselves off on their world (pre) book/job tours?I don't know if any of you caught the Nick Ferrari (LBC) interview this morning with the Daniel, one of the victims of the July 7th bombers?  Gives new meaning to 'BOGOF' as the Criminal compensation scheme only allows for three injuries - and he has multiple ones (Crumbs! - is his spleen worth more than his skin and he wants to claim for PTSD? ... but we don't re-cog-nise PTSD!)  Don't suppose any of you whizz kids could link through to a recording of his interview?

Sarah Felstead ● 6579d

You have now frightened Alan Sheerins off this messageboard for another few weeks Neil ;-)

Paul Fisher ● 6579d

Should say "theyworkforyou.com" website

Neil Chippendale ● 6579d