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Minister apologises over expenses

jujuman13

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BBC NEWS | UK

Quote(Treasury minister David Laws apologises as it emerges he claimed MPs' expenses to pay rent to his partner.)

Why has this man not been dismissed from his post within the Government?

He claims that he misunderstood the rules on allowable claims, if this is true then a person of such limited common sense should not be in the post he has been given.
 
-- Why has this man not been dismissed from his post within the Government?

He claims that he misunderstood the rules on allowable claims, if this is true then a person of such limited common sense should not be in the post he has been given.

Surprising he should make such a claim - coming from a background in investment banking he should be very clued up on finances and accounting rules.

He should be suspended while the investigation takes place - he has apparently drawn up tough new rules on pay and perks for the public sector and the Govts authority to act will be limited if he is found to be a public funds cheat.
 
He is not treasury minister, but chief secretary to the treasury ministry.. huge difference.

And considering his background (I believe he is catholic) it is not surprising he has tried to hide his sexuality and keep his private life private. And that can be tricky when expenses are suppose to be as open as they are. That of course does not excuse him, but a tad more understanding should be in order compared to the conservative that wanted money for a duck house and the labour minister who got the state to pay for her husbands porn movies.

We shall see.. this stinks of politically motivated attack since the Daily Telegraph has had this information for months but sat on it.
 
There's no excuse for such swindling as they get paid enough as it is. Greedy politicians who think they can get away with it are alive and well.

But it gives us an insight into how the previous government left our economy in the lurch, despite having the oppertunity to retain huge piles of gold instead of swapping it for Euros or keeping the battered Treasury richer by not splurging so much of the huge taxes raised for example. Such measures are good housekeeping and would have helped insulate against recession.

It's only money, no matter how much is wasted there's always more!

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Here's the direct link to the BBC article: BBC News - Treasury Minister David Laws apologises over expenses

Further data: http://www.debatepolitics.com/europe/73620-suicides-iphone-plant-why-not-westminster.html
 
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-- a tad more understanding should be in order compared to the conservative that wanted money for a duck house and the labour minister who got the state to pay for her husbands porn movies.

Don't know - Sir Peter Viggers claim was for £1645 and Jaqui Smith claimed not knowing about her husband's porn movies. Peter Laws claim amounts to £40,000. His partner seems to have profited - if this was a family law or child support case the argument would be that his monthly claims would probably have ofset his partner's mortgage costs.

-- this stinks of politically motivated attack since the Daily Telegraph has had this information for months but sat on it.

It stinks of hypocrisy and corruption - the Telegraph may or may not have known a year ago but Peter Laws was trying to claim on his website from 18th June last year that "he had not "gained" through the taxpayer from buying a property because he rented accommodation in London"

That was a calculated lie in my opinion and the British public won't like being lied to. The anger against MPs was palpable before the election here and this will bring it all back afresh.
 
No point in starting a new thread so will post it here.

Laws resigns over expenses claim.

'nuff said?
 
No point in starting a new thread so will post it here.

Laws resigns over expenses claim.

'nuff said?

Doubt he had any choice in the matter since it has been a cornerstone of the new government to hit down on any hint of scandal when it comes to expenses.

What bothers me is that the Telegraph sat on the story for so long and as soon as he became "someone", then they pounced. Now considering the Telegraph is considered a conservative paper and one wonders why they are risking the fall of a conservative lead government. Or maybe that was the idea. Or was it because he was a closet homosexual, a traditionally conservative no no? Doubt that matters in modern day UK conservative politics, but still..

This whole thing stinks... someone having to pay back 40k is huge, and they sat on the story?
 
-- What bothers me is that the Telegraph sat on the story for so long--

I know there's a load of speculation that the Telegraph knew but I've seen nothing to really corroborate this.

-- Or was it because he was a closet homosexual, a traditionally conservative no no?

No, I've heard this morning that one gay and lesbian group has distanced itself from him - he has abused the public purse after all.

--This whole thing stinks... someone having to pay back 40k is huge, and they sat on the story?

Now we get to the serious matter - not that the Telegraph did or did not know - but that David Laws, like anyone else seeking election or re-election to public office should have known they would have their accounts scrutinised. He had the opportunity to hand the money or to come clean to his party leader when the expenses scandal first broke. There's also a question mark over Nick Clegg for not making sure he went through his senior members details to make sure no more finances scandals came out.

The Lib Dems were the most sanctimonious about the expenses scandal - this was said by many of the labour MPs yesterday - they really should have known better and acted as soon as the prospect of real political power (i.e. coalition Govt) came along.
 
It's business as bloody usual then, and only after five minutes...


SLEAZE AND FINANCIAL IMPROPRIETY: David Laws resigns after paying £40,000 to gay lover | Mail Online

LARGESSE: Ministers caught using drivers after cars crackdown: One heads for Dunkirk, while second is ferried 500 YARDS to work | Mail Online

NON-JOB WOMAN INEVITABLY JABBERING AND WASTING TIME: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1282573/In-bath-thinking---Minister-warned-1am-tweets.html

WANTING TO BE THE ONLY CATS TO HAVE THE CREAM: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1282594/Scrap-extra-days-civil-servants-urge-MPs.html


....Well what more do you expect from the 'heir to Blair' and his politically-correct Liberal sidekicks?!


________________________________________

THE 'LOTTO LOUT' WENT BACK TO WHAT HE KNEW AFTER BLOWING HIS HUGE WINDFALL. SHOULD WE MAKE POLITICIANS DO THE SAME WHEN THEY RETIRE FROM WASTING EVEN LARGER AMOUNTS OF TAXPAYER CASH? THEY LIVE ON THE HIGH AND DECADENT LIFE TOO!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...roll-set-return-old-job-blowing-9-7m-win.html
 
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--Mind, to be fair, THERE IS SOME HOPE: --

David Laws was "on balance" right to quit the cabinet but has the talent to return, Iain Duncan Smith has said.

The chief secretary to the Treasury resigned after admitting claiming expenses to pay rent to his partner.

Mr Duncan Smith, Work and Pensions Secretary, told the BBC he was "deeply sorry" about Mr Laws quitting.

But he said he agreed with Mr Laws' view that he could not do the "toughest job" of overseeing spending cuts while beset by personal problems.

Mr Duncan Smith told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show his respect for Mr Laws had grown since they started working together in the coalition, and he was a "thoroughly decent person".

"I have no questions at all that he has the talent to be back... I've been in the spotlight myself, as you know, so I wish him the very best and hope the media leaves him alone a bit now."

Mr Duncan Smith's comments came in the wake of other tributes to Mr Laws from Conservative PM David Cameron and his Lib Dem deputy Nick Clegg. BBC Link

Mr Laws could be the "Mandelson" of this coalition - unless he steps down as an MP as the BBC is now reporting.
 

Apparently not as this article suggests.


BBC NEWS | UK
Laws could be back -by Duncan Smith.

I am sure most folk remember when the sleazeball Mandelson was outed first off as a homosexual, then as ripping off the system financially. And then everyone being told by 3 face Blair how good Mandelson was and how necessary to 3 faced Blair's government was he.

Now when we have yet another Homosexual Only paying back the amount he stole from UK AFTER having been outed.
Would he have held his hand up if the Telegraph had not published his misdeeds? some how I doubt it.
After all he accepted the position knowing he had diddled 40 grand out of the claims office.
Now we have (oh God tell me Duncan Smith is NOT a Homosexual) this man suggesting that this thief be returned to government office.
Why in God's name does the UK bother to make rules if when someone is caught red handed with their fingers in the till and is then later rewarded.
If anyone of any party is found to be breaking the rules they should be automatically banned from holding any public office again.
Then the UK might just might begin to have honest governence again.
 
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I don't want to see Laws back and it's saddening to read IDS's words. All that 'private matter' effluent should have gone out with Blair.

But if IDS himself can stay clean and concentrate on reform then I would still credit him for any success or attempt. But still, I suspect him and had a better view of him.
 
Why in God's name does the UK bother to make rules if when someone is caught red handed with their fingers in the till and is then later rewarded.

You only ever get anywhere if you've got dirt on you. It means they can trust you, the more stuff they can pin on someone and oust someone for, the more titles and privilages can be earned. Look at 'Lord' Mandelson now.


Peter Mandelson, (Peter Benjamin Mandelson or ‘Baron’ Mandelson, PC)Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg, ‘Her Majesty's’ Most ‘Honourable’ Privy Council, Twice resigned from the ‘Labour Party’ - after his second resignation he served as European Commissioner For Trade for four years then rejoined the government when he was made a Life Peer by Gordon Brown and took his seat in the House Of Lords on 13 October 2008, Launched the ‘Millenium Bug And Electronic Commerce Bill’ in 1998, Pages of reading on scandals and conflicting interests|

The business publicised surrounding 'Baron' Mandelson's sex life in the early days is the tip of the iceberg. He's got alot of dirt, so he's in. And he'll toe the line as a result, and when I say dirt I don't just mean a bloke who likes the company of other blokes (weather thats dirt or not is a point of view, but dirt as in stuff that all human beings would find revolting)

Anyway 'Danny' Alexander is the new distraction.

 
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DAVID LAWS WAS AT cambridge university,OH MY GOD,CLEVER LAD THO.HAHA.(DUMPED).

SO THERE U GO MY GOOD FRIENDS,SHOULD HVE BEEN AT OXFORD THE SAME AS CAMERON.

MIKEEY
 
The way I see it the public seems to be an enabler on this. This sort of thing should really angry up the blood. What happened to the British public that would Riot in the streets when they disagreed with government? (Poll Tax for example)

Now I'm not saying that we should all go and riot and smash things. But we need to show genuine disapproval. The defeat of Jaqui Smith was a good start but I seen a BBC Interview with constituents in David Laws constituency and they felt SORRY for him, that is the most backwards thing ever. He has stolen out money, regardless of his sexuality situation, he's a thief.

The British public seem to roll over like cats these days an accept these sorts of things. We have to let it known that we will not stand for it.
 
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