LONDON—Over half of Britain’s lawmakers have been ordered to repay US$ 1.7 million in dubious expenses, following the publication of an investigation into one of the worst political scandals in modern British history.
Leaders of the three main political parties in the U.K. are among 392 current and former parliamentarians who were ordered to repay expense claims ranging from $2,500 for an ornamental duck house, to a charity donation worth just $1.50.
Former Permanent Secretary of Lord Chancellor’s Department Thomas Legg said that the expense system in the U.K. Parliament was “deeply flawed.”
British politicians relied on a “culture of deference” toward them by parliamentary officials to ensure that their extravagant claims were approved, Legg said.
Six lawmakers were expected on Friday to learn whether they will face criminal charges of fraud and false accounting for their claims. If charged, they could face up to 10 years in prison.
The scandal caused deep anger among voters in Britain last year, and it came at a time when the country is experiencing deep recession and rising unemployment.
Details of the expense claims were published in national newspapers and showed how politicians had excessively claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars on second homes, maintenance, and gardening.
One politician gained infamy for allegedly requesting $3,330 for the cost of a moat in his country estate to be cleared. Another senior minister resigned after it emerged that her husband had included the cost of watching pornographic films in his hotel room on parliamentary expenses.
Two legislators have been ousted and about 150 others won’t contest the next national election.
Among the members of Parliament (MPs) in the report, Labor MP Barbara Follett had highest sum to repay—$66,977.
Follett, wife of author Ken Follett, was ordered to repay money for mobile security patrols at her second home, and six telephone lines.
“I have repaid the total amount in full and am pleased that this matter has now been resolved,” she said in a statement on Feb. 4.
“I claimed these amounts in good faith in accordance with the rules at the time.
“But as an independent review has now shown these to be vague and deeply flawed, I feel it is only right to repay them.
“This has been a sad and sorry episode in Britain’s political life which I deeply regret.”
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also ordered to repay $20,319 for excessive cleaning and gardening costs.
A spokesman for Brown said that he has also repaid the amount owed.
Seventy-five MPs and former MPs appealed against Sir Thomas’s recommendations—44 got the demands either reduced or overturned.
MPs with outstanding debt have until Feb. 22 to settle the amount, otherwise the repayments will be taken out of their salaries.
Leaders of the three main political parties in the U.K. are among 392 current and former parliamentarians who were ordered to repay expense claims ranging from $2,500 for an ornamental duck house, to a charity donation worth just $1.50.
Former Permanent Secretary of Lord Chancellor’s Department Thomas Legg said that the expense system in the U.K. Parliament was “deeply flawed.”
British politicians relied on a “culture of deference” toward them by parliamentary officials to ensure that their extravagant claims were approved, Legg said.
Six lawmakers were expected on Friday to learn whether they will face criminal charges of fraud and false accounting for their claims. If charged, they could face up to 10 years in prison.
The scandal caused deep anger among voters in Britain last year, and it came at a time when the country is experiencing deep recession and rising unemployment.
Details of the expense claims were published in national newspapers and showed how politicians had excessively claimed hundreds of thousands of dollars on second homes, maintenance, and gardening.
One politician gained infamy for allegedly requesting $3,330 for the cost of a moat in his country estate to be cleared. Another senior minister resigned after it emerged that her husband had included the cost of watching pornographic films in his hotel room on parliamentary expenses.
Two legislators have been ousted and about 150 others won’t contest the next national election.
Among the members of Parliament (MPs) in the report, Labor MP Barbara Follett had highest sum to repay—$66,977.
Follett, wife of author Ken Follett, was ordered to repay money for mobile security patrols at her second home, and six telephone lines.
“I have repaid the total amount in full and am pleased that this matter has now been resolved,” she said in a statement on Feb. 4.
“I claimed these amounts in good faith in accordance with the rules at the time.
“But as an independent review has now shown these to be vague and deeply flawed, I feel it is only right to repay them.
“This has been a sad and sorry episode in Britain’s political life which I deeply regret.”
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was also ordered to repay $20,319 for excessive cleaning and gardening costs.
A spokesman for Brown said that he has also repaid the amount owed.
Seventy-five MPs and former MPs appealed against Sir Thomas’s recommendations—44 got the demands either reduced or overturned.
MPs with outstanding debt have until Feb. 22 to settle the amount, otherwise the repayments will be taken out of their salaries.
