Frome's MP given 'all clear' over expenses
Frome's MP David Heath has been given the all clear by Sir Thomas Legg after his review of MPs expenses.
In the report published on Thursday February 4 Sir Thomas records that Mr Heath has no issues.
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David Heath
Mr Heath said that he was delighted by the findings.
He said: "I was always confident that I had stuck carefully to both the spirit and the letter of the rules, but it is good to have that confirmed by Sir Thomas Legg after scrutinising with great care five years of expenses claims."
The expenses scandal broke in May 2009 when the Daily Telegraph lifted the lid on what MPs had been claiming for.
Several MPs stepped down in the scandal with MPs claiming for items such as a floating duck house, manure being delivered and a moat.
Sir Thomas Legg was appointed in June 2009 to review the additional costs allowance(ACA).
He said in his findings that the system "was deeply flawed, that MPs were self-certifying and that the rules were vague."
Mr Heath added: "I think the public will be rightly concerned about the huge number of incorrect or inappropriate claims identified by Sir Thomas, and it strengthens my view that we have to now ensure that the system is much more robust, transparent and focussed on what MPs genuinely need in order to do their job.
"Those MPs who face significant repayments will need to justify to their constituents why they considered their claims to have been necessary to their parliamentary duties in the first place."
Other MPs in the South West have repaid several thousands, including Wells' Conservative MP David Heathcoat-Amory who has paid back more than £29,000, Westbury's Conservative MP Andrew Murrison who has repaid £5,525.64 and Labour MP Dan Norris who has repaid £1,730.19.
10 Comments
by mrs p groggins, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 8:34PM
“I read these comments about mr heath with somewhat dissmay earlier today.
I even read through the last 4 weeks of somerset standards as we collect our papers.
The comments although crass are absolutely correct,mr heath has not commented at all about the nhs out of hours Except a one liner last week.
Quite clearly that is not what we expect from our local mp.
He should come out openly and support this campaign, not pamper around his leader when he visits the new hospital being a "nodding dog"
Now an EX lib dem”
by Paul Grey, Frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 5:34PM
“Here here so am i BNP.”
by davey p, nunney
Monday, February 08 2010, 5:16PM
“here here c.kyle.
Well said that man.
Im voting for bnp”
by c. kyle, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 3:51PM
“in one year Heath claimed £146,813 of expenses plus his salary,[approx]£60,000.Perhaps we could do with less MPs to provide some out of hours cover with the money.”
by John jones, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 1:38PM
“Im glad you expenses are all clear mr heath.
Perhaps as previous comments have said you could now sort out this disaster that is somerset nhs.
Below is a paragraph on the somerset nhs website that says quote "the hospital is open 22 hours a day"
If this is the case why no doctor on call then?
Facilities (Wards, departments and services provided)
Inpatients - Marshfield Ward (28 beds)
Birthing
Outpatients
Minor Injury Unit
Therapies - comprising of: Speech and Language, Physiotheraphy, Podiatry, Occupational Therapy
Renal
Hospital is open 24hrs
A point you might like to take up mr heath.”
by the one, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 11:00AM
“More fighting at wheatshaves sat night when are they going to get control of that pub and make it a safe place to visit?”
by miss gibbs, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 10:42AM
“very well put Andrew.
I have lost all faith in these people,i wont be voting for any of them.”
by andrew, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 9:57AM
“Mr heath,now you are all clear with your expenses,why not get down to this real issue going on.I.E the scandal that is lack of proper post 2004 out of hours care.
The people of frome myself included are not looking for a treatment centre like shepton
mallet-we are looking for an out of hours doctor for EAST MENDIP that covers when the hospital closes at 11pm-9am and weekends/bank holidays to be based here in
frome.AS USED TO BE PRE 2004 at park road.
Fromes population is growing evermore due to mendips non stop build policy.
Schools are nearly full up.
Somerset nhs have money to WASTE on a new health park that is not needed,a run down ruined hospital
at park road that could be sold to pay for an out of hours gp for years to come.
Mr heath for god sake come out of the closet and work for the people of frome.
Or do we have to wait until election time!!”
by andy, frome
Monday, February 08 2010, 8:44AM
“I would have thought regardless of the expenses row,before putting a one liner in the somerset standard about very poor out of hours,that mr heath would have spoken and put pressure on somerset nhs before.
Why has it taken him 3 weeks to speak about this issue?
He has not signed the petition either!!!”
by andy, frome
Friday, February 05 2010, 2:10PM
“Mr heath may well be innocent.
But most people are sick and tired of politicians having their noses in the trough full of public money.
Its just a shame mr heath has not earned his normal salary by not publically speaking out about the NON-GOINGS on after your local gp surgery closes at night and weekends.
The biggest public outcry in years from people about lack of proper out of hours care-and we hear NOTHING from mr heath!!
Still never mind all,we shall see him and his yellow army pounding the streets in may/june for election time!
Is it any wonder fed up people vote for extremist partys.
Luckily so far they dont have that option around here.
Me-ill just tear up my voting strip/card at the polling centre.”