Tuesday 2 February 2016

Expenses' Claim: Simon Danczuk's Last Stand?

AN investigation has opened into the expenses' claims made by Simon Danczuk MP following the receipt of a complaint from a member of the public.
A statement was issued yesterday by the Compliance Officer for IPSA (Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority):
 'The Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority has today opened an investigation into claims made under the MPs’ Scheme of Business Costs and Expenses ('the Scheme') by Simon Danczuk MP. '
The focus of the investigation will be into the expenditure relating to Accommodation Expenditure claimed under the scheme.
Simon Danczuk would seem to have made claims for his children of more than £25,000 in extra accommodation allowances since 2011.  He has done this despite the fact that none of the children living with him in London 'routinely' which is a condition of the allowance.  He has complained that the rules are 'too vague' and are not in keeping with the nature of modern parenting, and he has argued that the complainants among the Rochdale Liberal Democrats are 'politically motivated'.
Mr. Danczuk, who says he is co-operating with the investigation, has said:
'My IPSA claim was made at a time when it was expected all four of my children would regularly come and stay with me at the same time.'
He told one news paper that the rules are ‘poorly worded and not fit for purpose when it comes to modern families like mine’
The Compliance Officer says that upon conclusion of the investigation, a report including details of the case made against the MP, evidence, findings and any sanctions will be published.

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