SNP WELCOME LEGG REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS.

SNP WELCOME LEGG REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS.

SNP Members of Parliament have this evening (Monday) welcomed the recommendations of Sir Thomas Legg following his review of the additional costs allowance,

Sir Thomas made a number of recommendations in respect of claims by Members of Parliament even though the claims had been within the rules at the time – these recommendations in respect of SNP MPs are as follows:

Stewart Hosie MP is repaying £379 for hotel costs claimed in February 2009 when his flat flooded and was uninhabitable. The MP should have reclaimed this cost from his insurance.
Angus MacNeil MP is repaying a partial council tax bill of £133 for 2007/08. Mr MacNeil is also seeking clarification from Sir Thomas Legg in respect of unavoidable hotel stays in Glasgow – incurred en-route to his Island constituency and which had previously been agreed with Commons authorities.

John Mason MP - no recommendations for repayment.

Angus Robertson MP is repaying £1,217 for a sofabed and DVD recorder. Mr Robertson is providing rental and mortgage statements as requested.

Alex Salmond MP is repaying £710.88 in removal costs between London and Aberdeenshire when he gave up his rented flat in 2007, and is supplying further information in respect of hotels costs of £2,610 incurred while his rented London flat was unfurnished.

Mike Weir MP – has not been asked for any repayment. Mr Weir has been asked to provide copies of the rental agreement for the flat he rents.

Pete Wishart MP has been asked to repay £1,632 in respect of a duplicate claim for flat rental and a utility bill.

An SNP spokesperson said:

“Our view has always been that once you call in a referee you abide by the decision, and where Sir Thomas has requested further information that will be provided. The priority now should be to put the Westminster expenses system on the same solid, open and transparent footing as that of the Scottish Parliament.”