Gregory Campbell's Name Added To Daily Telegraph's Continuing Exposés

Revelations by the national Daily Telegraph over Westminster politicians' expenses claims turned the spotlight on Northern Ireland this week.

The paper reported that East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell, pictured, made second homes claims of more than £77,000 over four years.

The Expenses Files published by the paper also said that the DUP man claimed £11,500 in hotel bills between 2005 and 2006, before moving into a flat in London.

He also racked up £4,675 on furniture and appliances including TVs and a DVD player, the paper stated.

It is now the 20th day of the Telegraph's revelations and this time the newspaper listed the 'names and claims' of some 60 MPs in alphabetical order from A-C, including Mr Campbell.

Specifically, the Londonderry-based politician made second home claims totalling £77,260 between 2004 and 2008, according to the figures.

Also just days ago, Gregory Campbell was on the BBC Radio Ulster Nolan show to answer questions on MP expenses and defended their track record with vigour and even had some questions of his own for the presenter's lifestyle, which he alleged was paid for from the 'public purse', through TV licence fees.

Mr Campbell's high profile was followed by his party proposing scrapping the whole House of Commons expenses system.

A statement insisted no MP should receive "a single penny" beyond their salaries.

The DUP said MPs' constituency offices and equipment, staff, utility bills and rent or mortgage payments as well as the £10,000 members' communication allowance should instead be dealt with and paid directly by the Commons rather than MPs.

The move was timed to match earlier disclosures involving Northern Ireland MPs after the Daily Telegraph has previously revealed Peter and Iris Robinson claimed £30,000 for food and £160,000 in mortgage interest payments for their London apartment over a four-year period.

The party reacted by publishing a paper called 'A Better Way' proposing a variety of measures including no claims for food, furnishings or household goods; the setting-up of a Central Procurement Division at Westminster as well as an independent oversight of the Westminster fees office.

The party also pledged to a deal that would allow "no pecuniary benefit from the taxpayer contribution for mortgage interest payments on London properties following the resale of a property".

The issue was previously highlighted on 4ni.co.uk, in 2007.

See: MPs Expenses Revealed

(BMcC/JM)