Tory MP quits over expenses claim
In yet another bit of swift manoeuvring by David Cameron it was revealed that Conservative MP Andrew Mackay has today quit as his aide after an "unacceptable" expenses claim. While specific aspects of the claim have yet to be aired in public it is alleged to have involved the art of "flipping" primary and secondary properties. This comes at a time when the Labour Party appears to be dragging its heels over the potential suspension and expulsion of some members for alleged abuse of the expenses system.
Former Labour minister Elliot Morley is alleged to have claimed £16,000 for a mortgage which had already been paid off and despite his announcement that some money had been paid back, it is not clear when or how much has been returned to the taxpayer. This has prompted Gordon Brown to bring in the Labour Party chief whip to discuss the future of Mr Morley although prolonged discussions are doing the Labour Party yet more harm in the polls.
In what has been a dramatic and damaging saga for all political parties, the difference in leadership style and leadership stance is becoming ever more apparent day by day. David Cameron appears willing to take on the hierarchy of the Conservative party and come down hard on those alleged to have "abused the system" while Gordon Brown continues to drag his heels.
Share this..
Related stories
Scottish councils may be £200 million short on funding
Despite the very public policies announced by the SNP government in Scotland there is a growing feeling that a lack of funding for local councils is set to hit taxpayers hard in the short term. Just last year the SNP and the local councils agreed a zero rise in council tax and this had been expected to hold well into 2009. However as the SNP continues to load local councils with more and more serv...
Read MoreWorldwide interest rate cuts see stock markets recover
The concerted effort to repair the damage to the worldwide economy saw interest rates reduced across the board yesterday. In a move which seems to have gone a long way to at least halting the falls of later we saw rates slashed by authorities in the UK, US, ECB, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden and China. It seems that finally we have all governments around the world singing from the same hymn book!<...
Read MoreShould you transfer your child’s CTF to a Junior ISA?
27/03/2015 If your child was born between 1st September 2002 and the 2nd January 2011, they will most likely have a Child Trust Fund, even if you are unaware of it.
What is a Child Trust Fund?
A Child Trust Fund, or CTF, is a long term, tax free savings account for children. They were introduced by Tony Blair’s Labour administration in 2002, and gave every child in Brita...
Read MoreTesco Set To Take On The High Street Banks
In a move which has surprised many in the financial markets, Tesco has acquired the remaining 50% share of its joint venture with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) for £950 million. This now gives Tesco full control of the venture and releases the company from an array of competition clauses against RBS. The joint venture has been one of the more successful on the high street having started over a d...
Read More£1bn lost to tax evasion last year
Tax evasion offences could be cut by imposing more effective punishments on offenders, it has been claimed. According to a new report conducted by the National Audit Office (NAO), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) misses out on around £1 billion in taxes every year. One of the principal causes of this is the "relatively low" fines issued, the NAO said, and called for these to be raised to tackle the...
Read More