10,000 reasons to stand as an Independent

If not re-elected, Simon Danczuk will receive a loss of office payment of over £10,000

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) has confirmed that if Simon Danczuk is not re-elected he will receive a loss of office payment of over £10,000. As the payment is available only to those who contest their seat and lose, had he not stood he would receive nothing.

Danczuk, along with new election agent Emma King, submitted his election nomination papers at Number One Riverside last Thursday (11 May), confirming he is standing as an Independent in the forthcoming general election.

He was first elected in 2010 and hence has seven years as an MP.

A spokesman for IPSA said: "An MP with seven years of service could expect to receive a payment of up to £10,269."

Winding-up expenses are available to MPs when they leave Parliament. If Danczuk is not re-elected as MP, he can also claim expenses of up to £53,950.

Councillor Allen Brett, who until recently was Mr Danczuk's election agent, told Rochdale Online that Danczuk standing as an Independent "is all about money".

Danczuk has courted controversy throughout his tenure as an MP with his expenses claims, claiming around £1.25millon of taxpayers money in expenses during his seven years as an MP, including a whopping £207,000 in one year.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/91309/simon-danczuk-claims-over-%C2%A3200000-in-expenses

Danczuk was ordered to repay £11,500 in expenses after he knowingly claimed accommodation costs for two children who did not live with him.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/101829/simon-danczuk-has-to-repay-more-than-%C2%A311000-in-expenses

His expenses claims have been investigated by the Metropolitan Police Service 'Homicide and Major Crime Command' Unit and it is understood a file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/101513/danczuk-expenses-claims-to-be-investigated-by-metropolitan-police

Danczuk did not reply to an invitation to comment.

Simon Danczuk outside Number One Riverside with his new election agent Emma King