NI MPs Expenses Exposed

Following news last night that the Junior Treasury Minister, Kitty Ussher, had resigned because of allegations over avoiding paying capital gains tax, the expenses claims of every Northern Ireland MP for the past four years have been published.

House of Commons authorities have published the details of all MPs after a long-running Freedom of Information battle.

However, much of the information is already out in the open after being leaked to the Daily Telegraph - with the demise of Ms Ussher over her switching homes and avoiding tax - being only the latest such casualty.

Locally, there are various details revealed, such as a claim by the Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness who billed the taxpayer for painting and decorating costs at £1,410, a first aid kit at £22.99 and even a humble sandwich press at £19.99.

His Executive colleague, First Minister Peter Robinson charged for house repairs at £1,504, a 'tub' chair at £235 and a clock at £31.45.

In contrast to the information leaked to the Daily Telegraph, large sections of these documents are blacked out for security reasons.

The Daily Telegraph says that if this had been the only information available to the public, practices, such as flipping, jargon for an MP changing which home they say is their main residence, would never have been exposed.

Meanwhile, despite her resignation, MP Kitty Ussher still insists she did nothing wrong.

See: Criticism Follows MP's Expenses Publication

(BMcC/NS)