Burnham MP re-issues apology over expense claims (From Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News)

Burnham MP re-issues apology over expense claims

2:30pm Monday 8th February 2010

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BURNHAM MP David Heathcoat-Amory has today re-issed an apology over his part in the expenses scandal.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory has paid back nearly £30,000, the amount recommended by Sir Thomas Legg in his official report, for garden maintenance and cleaning claims.

The allowance claims, dating back five years, were disallowed retrospectively by Sir Thomas Legg.

Appeal judge Sir Paul Kennedy said it would be "irritating" for anyone who made expense claims in good faith years ago to be told to now re-pay them.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory said today: "The rules needed to be changed and that is now universally accepted, but I am glad that the appeal judge has concluded there was no impropriety in claiming allowances under previous rules.

"I have apologised for my part in the failure to reform the parliamentary allowances system and always made clear that I would pay back the amounts recommended."

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