MP gets a clean bill on expenses

Paul Rowen MP

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has today (Tuesday 13 October) been told that he does not have to pay back any of his expense claims.

Sir Thomas Legg KCB QC has sent letters to more than 500 of the 646 MPs in Parliament asking for more information or repayment on their Parliamentary ‘Additional Costs Allowance’ (ACA) claims.

The letters have caused controversy throughout Parliament and dozens of MPs including Prime Minister Gordon Brown have been asked to make substantial payments running into thousands.

Paul Rowen said: “This confirmation is no cause for celebration but indicative of my prudent approach to spending public money. I know that many MPs are not happy with any payments that they have to make but they should pay up so that we can move on deal with the huge problems facing the country at the moment.

"I have never hired a cleaner, I don’t have a gardener and have used any allowances claimed to have basic accommodation in London to enable me to do my job for the people of Rochdale.”

In a letter to Mr Rowen, Sir Thomas Legg QC, who carried out the inquiry, said: “In your case, having examined the records in the light of interpretation of the rules and standards in force at the time, I have not identified any payments made to you under the ACA during the review period which I consider call for any repayment or further supporting evidence to be provided by you. Accordingly, my conclusion is no action is required by you in this matter.”