British Democracy Forum - View Single Post - Over £400,000 expenses for MPs who never took seats

23-10-2004, 09:36 PM

THE four Sinn Fein MPs who have yet to take up their seats at Westminster each claimed more than £100,000 in parliamentary expenses and allowances last year.

Since December 2001 Sinn Fein members have been allowed to claim allowances at Westminster in recognition of the progress made in the Northern Ireland peace process.

In an ironic twist, the large expenses revealed yesterday come just a few months after Paul Murphy, the Northern Ireland Secretary, cut the allowances of Sinn Fein and Progressive Unionist Party Northern Ireland Assembly members for one year.

The move followed the Independent Monitoring Commission’s first report which highlighted the levels of paramilitary activity by both republican and loyalist groups.

It recommended action against the two parties in response to continuing IRA and loyalist violence.

The decision to allow Sinn Fein members to claim allowances caused outrage in 2001 but the government defeated a Conservative attempt to block Sinn Fein’s four Westminster MPs Commons office space and allowances.

The Tory party threatened to withdraw from the longstanding bipartisan approach to Northern Ireland outraged that the MPs have never sworn an oath of allegiance to the Queen or taken their seats.

Sinn Fein MPs have office accommodation at Westminster.

There were cries of "shame" when the then leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, moved the formal resolution which reversed a ruling in 1997, that those who choose not to take their seats should not have access to the many benefits and facilities of the Commons.

Michelle Gildernew, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP, topped the Sinn Fein list, claiming £115,420 in expenses and allowances between April 2003 and March 2004.

That sum included £18,400 in so-called Additional Costs Allowance (ACA), paid "to reimburse Members for necessary costs incurred when staying overnight away from their main home for the purpose of performing parliamentary duties".

Ms Gildernew also claimed £67,738 in staff costs.

Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, and MP for West Belfast, claimed £109,315 in expenses and allowances in the same period, including £18,268 in ACA and £64,263 in staff costs.

The Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness, MP for Mid Ulster, claimed £110,653, including £18,581 in ACA and £64,272 in staff costs.

West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty claimed a total of £104,064, including £18,320 ACA and £60,982 staff costs.

David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionists, claimed £71,134, including £18,009 ACA and £339,119 staff costs.

23-10-2004, 09:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Over £400,000 expenses for MPs who never took seats THE four Sinn Fein MPs who have yet to take up their seats at Westminster each claimed more than £100,000 in parliamentary expenses and allowances last year. Since December 2001 Sinn Fein members have been allowed to claim allowances at Westminster in recognition of the progress made in the Northern Ireland peace process. In an ironic twist, the large expenses revealed yesterday come just a few months after Paul Murphy, the Northern Ireland Secretary, cut the allowances of Sinn Fein and Progressive Unionist Party Northern Ireland Assembly members for one year. The move followed the Independent Monitoring Commission’s first report which highlighted the levels of paramilitary activity by both republican and loyalist groups. It recommended action against the two parties in response to continuing IRA and loyalist violence. The decision to allow Sinn Fein members to claim allowances caused outrage in 2001 but the government defeated a Conservative attempt to block Sinn Fein’s four Westminster MPs Commons office space and allowances. The Tory party threatened to withdraw from the longstanding bipartisan approach to Northern Ireland outraged that the MPs have never sworn an oath of allegiance to the Queen or taken their seats. Sinn Fein MPs have office accommodation at Westminster. There were cries of "shame" when the then leader of the Commons, Robin Cook, moved the formal resolution which reversed a ruling in 1997, that those who choose not to take their seats should not have access to the many benefits and facilities of the Commons. Michelle Gildernew, the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP, topped the Sinn Fein list, claiming £115,420 in expenses and allowances between April 2003 and March 2004. That sum included £18,400 in so-called Additional Costs Allowance (ACA), paid "to reimburse Members for necessary costs incurred when staying overnight away from their main home for the purpose of performing parliamentary duties". Ms Gildernew also claimed £67,738 in staff costs. Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein president, and MP for West Belfast, claimed £109,315 in expenses and allowances in the same period, including £18,268 in ACA and £64,263 in staff costs. The Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness, MP for Mid Ulster, claimed £110,653, including £18,581 in ACA and £64,272 in staff costs. West Tyrone MP Pat Doherty claimed a total of £104,064, including £18,320 ACA and £60,982 staff costs. David Trimble, the leader of the Ulster Unionists, claimed £71,134, including £18,009 ACA and £339,119 staff costs.