Forum Topic

Petision to request a Police investigation into the Keans expenses claims

The speculation and refusal to clarify expenses claims has gone on far to long. If you also feel its time for the Police to investigate the allegations surrounding these claims, please post the word  ' Yes ' on the thread

Philip Walsh ● 6568d4 Comments

What they are doing may not be iullegal and therefore may not warrant a police investigation.However here are the facts: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  Alan Keen's expenses are similar.He also claims the Additional Cost Allowance -for accommodation in Central London.In addition they are paid their MP's salaries and will in due course be entitled to MP's pensions.

David Giles ● 6564d

there is a simple solution; tell all your friends and encourage them to join the rapidly growing campaign to vote them out of office at the next General Election. In Brentford and Isleworth, that means supporting the Conservative candidate Mary Macleod as she has the best chance of beating Ann Keen. A vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for Labour as it splits the anti- Labour vote and the Lib Dems usually end up supprting Labour in any case.

David Giles ● 6564d

PhilipVanessa is right to say it's the rules which need to be changed, although personally I don't think the fact that these claims are within the rules means that they can in any way be justified or that the K££ns should not receive all due criticism and publicity for making them.As they are operating within the letter of the law if not within the spirit, a petition calling for a police investigation is unlikely to succeed.  I would ask you instead to help those of us who are seeking to bring the K££ns' actions to the attention of the whole electorate, something which they by their recent actions viz. the London Evening Standard and their primed army of apologists on these forums are currently working overtime to prevent us from doing.

Phil Andrews ● 6568d

Although we may not approve of MP's massive expenses, I'm not aware that they have committed any crime, after all they all seem to be at it one way and another. The system stinks, but that is surely what needs to be changed, I would have thought the Parliamentary Ombudsman is the person to look into all these issues.

Vanessa Smith ● 6568d