Saturday, February 27, 2010

WATCH CHANNEL4 THE MORNING LINE EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8AM to 9AM.

An entertaining and interesting program, countdown to this afternoons racing.


Today’s meetings covered by Channel4 are:-
Chepstow Jumps 7 races. First race 1.50 £ 47k
Kempton Jumps 8 races. First race 1.00 £222k


THE MORNING LINE’S REVIEW AND PREVIEW TEAM TO-DAY :-

NICK LUCK, Form Specialist /Broadcaster/Commentator.
‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’

JOHN FRANCOME, Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator/Journalist/Author.
‘Bloodhorse Literate’

ALICE PLUNKETT, General and Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator.
‘Bloodhorse Literate’

JOHN McCRIRICK The Punters Champion/Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator.
‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’

TANYA STEVENSON Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator.
‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’.
Tanya’s Titbits often win as in last Saturday’s Betfair Ascot Chase Grade 1 Class 1 16 fences one omitted. 2m5f MONET’S GARDEN partnered by BARRY GERAGHTY presented by handler/rider JOEY RICHARDS. Winning distance one and a half lengths at 11-2. Trained by Nicky Richards, owned by Wesley Yates, bred by William Delahunty. Prize money to winner £84,894.


GUEST STAR: TOM SEGAL ‘PRICEWISE’ FOR THE RACING POST. Tom brought this fascinating ‘Gambling Game’ into true perspective with every word he said.

Saturday’s Channel4 The Morning Line is a good place to start for all those out there who wish to begin an adventure into horseracing, to following racing as a hobby/leisure pursuit perhaps. Who knows where this adventure may lead you.

Perhaps Simon Cowell with his talent shows on TV, plus the fantastic dancing show ‘Strictly’ could now do a new program and call it ‘So you think you can ride’ .

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Friday, February 26, 2010

BRITISH MP'S BEHAVIOUR A SCANDAL

WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE ARE ALL THESE MP'S?

MP’s, posing dishonestly cycling along, pushing a pram, or in hospital posing with sick children? There is nothing sound or decent in tactics as these.

It is noted that these MP’s continue on ranting and raging daily against each other. ... But is this acceptable behavior prior to the 2010 General Election?

Surely such behavior proves what scant regard these so called MP’s have for 95% of all British people, British people who are expected to vote, whilst their
hard earned cash is being used to bale out ‘Banker Millionaires’ insuring that they can then become ‘Banker Billionaires’ whilst at the same time refusing decent hard working people a business loan even.

Do the existing MP’s even know what is actually happening in Britain?

These MP’S show that they have no true concern about any of the real issues that need attending to so urgently in Britain. Welfare, care, life and death issues. There is nothing honest, no true information provided to each, and every person expected to turn out to vote. For what exactly are we all expected to vote for?

ENDS


TURFCALL FRIDAY, JANUARY 08, 2010
KEY POLITICAL QUESTIONS URGENTLY IN NEED OF ATTENTION RE: MALISCIOUS POLITICAL
IN FIGHTING PROVOKED AND STARTED THIS WEEK BY DAVID CAMERON.

Why do we need another election this year at all? When the whole world is suffering a recession?

Surely Britain cannot afford a General Election at this time?

Surely Britain cannot afford the time either that is needed to put the ancient wheels of a General Election in motion that such an ancient election procedure demands?

Is this also an area/political structure long past it’s sell by date upsides the School Curriculum inadequacies?

How can the British people be expected to vote with any confidence following the expenses scandal?

How can the present Old Hat British Political Structure actually be sound?

How can the British people ever accept that the truth is to be denied them?

How can the British people ever accept that their money is being used by the privileged to suit only the privileged, David Cameron in particular?


KEY POLITICAL QUESTIONS URGENTLY IN NEED OF ATTENTION:
RE: SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Is the present school curriculum denying the young ones a fair start in life?

Is the present school curriculum preparing the young ones properly for life in the real world?

Or is this present current school curriculum well beyond it’s sell by date?

Education needs to embrace careers of all sorts from the actual school environment.
But this is just not happening. Why is this?

It is most definitely not happening within the Multi Billion Pound British Horseracing Industry to date. Looks like this is the case right across the board.

ENDS
Labels: Why is nothing linked up and working properly in Britain?
POSTED BY TURFCALL AT 7:52 AM | 0 COMMENTS

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RACING POST REPORT BY TONY ELVES AND BRUCE JACKSON

FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2010

DISGRACE
McCoy slams prize-money levels as a big turnoff for would - be owners.

Tony McCoy, the record breaking 14-time champion jockey, has branded prize-money levels in Britain a “disgrace” – despite Wednesday’s revelations that last year witnessed a record amount of £110 million.

McCoy said that his complaint was not from a personal stance; rather, he feels owners are not receiving their just rewards through prize-money, given the costs of having a horse in training and providing the raw material for an industry that supports 100,000, full time jobs.

McCoy’s comments – aired at Doncaster on Wednesday and elaborated on at Huntingdon yesterday – were applauded by Paul Dixon, president of the Racehorse Owners’ Association and chairman of the Horseman’s Group, who yesterday laid the blame firmly at the door of racecourses.

McCoy had initially voiced his frustration at Doncaster, saying: “It’s a disgrace we’re racing for a first prize of less than two grand.” That was a reference to the opening novice hurdle, in which he finished fifth – although of all five meetings in Britain and Ireland that day, Doncaster’s prize – money was the best.

McCoy said yesterday: “I’m not complaining from a personal point of view, but from the owner’s point of view, as we are trying to encourage people into racing. “When you see how much it costs an owner to buy a horse, and then they are paying between £300 and £400 per week to keep them in training, how can it be encouraging them to come into racing?

“The level of prize – money needs to be higher and there is either not enough money or too much racing.”

The bare facts paint a worsening picture, as there have been 279 races worth less than £2,000 to the winner from January 1 this year, against 127 in the same period in 2009, while since New Year’s Day 2009 there have been 1,052 such races, although 11 ended in dead – heats and initially had a first prize or more than £2,000.

Told that McCoy had raised the issue of prize – money, Dixon was delighted and said: “Tony is totally right. He doesn’t need the money and is speaking out for the sport in general and for all the little people, the journeyman jockey, the owner, the breeder, the trainer and the stable staff, who this issue is all affecting. It’s got to stop as there’s plenty of money coming into racing, adding, lots of racecourses have reneged on the prize – money agreement, which is discretionary.

“Horsemen have been sold down the river. Prize – money is the only important thing in racing. It filters down to everyone involved in racing.”

McCoy called on the Levy Board to bite the bullet and change the funding mechanism for racecourses, to make contribution mandatory rather than discretionary.

Dixon, privy to industry figures, said that owner’s, had put £450m into racing last year and contributed more than 15 per cent to prize – money.

He added: “It is becoming an owners’ lottery, running for our own money. It is a joke, when racecourses are getting increasing revenue, and in two years’ time they will be getting obscene amounts through picture rights.

“Racecourses need to put more of their money in, and horsemen have had enough."

In stark warning, Dixon, who owns 30 horses and has a stud with 20 brood mares, added: "Without the players on the stage, you don't have a play.

"Racecourses need to appreciate that and it is time for us to seriously look at our options. We must vote with our feet.”


ENDS

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Saturday, February 20, 2010

WATCH CHANNEL4 THE MORNING LINE EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8AM TO 9AM

Saturday’s Channel4 The Morning Line is a good place to start for all those out there who wish to begin an adventure into horseracing, to following racing as a hobby/leisure pursuit perhaps, who knows where this adventure may lead you.

An entertaining and interesting review of this weeks racing. Plus a preview countdown to today’s racing. White frost problem at Haydock and Ascot. Wincanton card inclusive of the Kingwell Hurdle. Failing to pass a track inspection at 8am.

Today’s meetings covered by Channel4 Racing IF ground is safe for the horses?
Ascot Jumps 1.40 (covers still on 9am)
Haydock Jumps 1.55 (covers still on 9am)

The Morning Line’s Team from Ascot are:-
NICK LUCK Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’

JOHN McCRIRICK The Punters Champion/Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator. Bloodhorse Illiterate’

SIMON HOLT Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator/Bloodhorse Illiterate.’

ALICE PLUNKETT General Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator/ ‘Bloodhorse Literate.’

HADDON FROST, Guest Star this morning. Conditional Student, Handler/Rider. Starting out working his way through the ranks with the aim to become a Professional Jump Jockey. In the process of becoming ‘Bloodhorse Literate.’ Frost (3) rides CONSIGLIERE for owner E A P Scouller and trainer David Pipe in Race 3 2:45 at Ascot to-day. The Betfair Handicap Hurdle 2m 3 and a half furlongs. 18 down to run. Winner £30,980.

Channel4 The Morning Line’s Team from Haydock are:-
DEREK THOMPSON Form Specialist /Broadcaster/Commentator/’Bloodhorse Literate’
TANYA STEVENSON Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator/‘Bloodhorse Illiterate
JIM McGRATH Form Specialist/Broadcaster/Commentator ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’

ENDS

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Wednesday, February 17, 2010

John Gosden, DEBUSSY and William Buick fly the flag for Britain in Dubai

JOHN GOSDEN flies the flag for Britain with DEBUSSY at the fabulous new Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, on Friday (19.02.2010) set to run in the Al Fahidi Fort, sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai over 1m on the track Tapeta surface.

William Buick the new stable jockey at Clarehaven Stables, Newmarket ,
is to partner DEBUSSY, to be his first public appearance in the saddle for Gosden.

Buick served his apprenticeship in Kingsclere, groomed for stardom with the ‘Team Balding Dynasty.”

In 2008 Buick upsides David Probert, also under Team Balding Management.
fought out between them to win the Champion Apprentice title. After such an enthralling duel right to the very end the title ended in a draw. Mega Magic, the best.


ENDS

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COUNTDOWN TO COUNTDOWN TO THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL MEETING MARCH 16 - 19 2010

Meeting - The Cheltenham Festival, Dates - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, March 16 - 19

First race -1.30pm each day

Tickets available from www.cheltenham.co.uk or by calling 08445 793 003. Best Mate & Tattersalls tickets for Friday, March 19, totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup day, have now sold out



COUNTDOWN TO THE FESTIVAL STEPS UP A GEAR AS CHAMPIONSHIP CONTESTS TAKE SHAPE



The countdown to The Festival steps up a gear today as the fields for the five non-novice Grade One races are pared down following the first scratchings deadline.



There are no surprise defections in the five races, with the Paul Nicholls-trained pair of Kauto Star and Denman heading the 19 contenders remaining in the eagerly-awaited £475,000 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday, March 19. Fans who want to be at Cheltenham to witness this historic contest need to act quickly with the both the Best Mate and Tattersalls enclosures now sold out on the day. Timeform think that Kauto Star is firmly on target to land his third totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup and award the Clive Smith-owned superstar a rating of 191+, 8lb clear of his stablemate Denman, the 2008 Gold Cup hero who parted company with his new partner Tony McCoy at Newbury on Saturday (February 13). In total, Paul Nicholls is responsible for six of the 19 remaining entries. According to Timeform it could be a two-horse race, with the third-best horse being Imperial Commander, the 2009 Ryanair Chase victor who ran Kauto Star to a nose at Haydock in November, rated 175.



Champion trainer Paul Nicholls also has the two top-rated horses with Timeform among the 17 remaining entries for the £320,000 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday, March 17, in the shape of Master Minded and Twist Magic. Master Minded, also owned by Clive Smith, looked back to his imperious best with a victory at Newbury on Saturday in the Game Spirit Chase and Timeform consider him as having a huge chance to become only the second three-time winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase (following Badsworth Boy) as he has a rating of 179, 11lb superior to Twist Magic on 168, while Ireland’s Big Zeb is on 164.



A hugely competitive Ryanair Chase is in prospect on Thursday, March 18 with 33 entries going forward. Golden Silver, runner-up to Big Zeb in a Grade Two event at Punchestown on January 31, has been given a rating of 162 by Timeform, just 1lb ahead of this season’s Paddy Power Gold cup hero Tranquil Sea (161), while there are no less than five horses sharing a Timeform rating of 160 - the Queen’s Barbers Shop, Herecomesthetruth, Boylesports.com Gold Cup victor Poquelin, last year’s third Schindlers Hunt and Voy Por Ustedes, runner-up to Imperial Commander last year having taken the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2007.



Similarly, Timeform has six of the remaining 24 entries in the £370,000 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle rated between 160 and 165. Irish Champion Hurdle victor Solwhit is on 165, with Zaynar on 165+. Zaynar, who landed the JCB Triumph Hurdle at The Festival in 2009, is due to run at Kelso on Thursday. Celestial Halo and Binocular, second and third respectively in 2009, are both on 164 with last year’s victor Punjabi 1lb lower at 163. Khyber Kim, who has won his last two starts, both at Cheltenham, is also rated 162 with last year’s Spinal Research Supreme Novices’ Hurdle victor Go Native on 161+ and the 2007 victor Sublimity is on 160. The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle is run on Tuesday, March 16, the opening day of The Festival.



Big Buck’s is a hot favourite to record a second victory in the £260,000 Ladbrokes World Hurdle on Thursday, March 18, and this view is clearly echoed by Timeform, which gives the Paul Nicholls-trained contender a rating of 174+, 13lb clear of Karabak on 161 with Tidal Bay, who returned to form in the Grade Two Betfair Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, just below on 160§. A total of 24 contenders remain in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.



For further information, please contact Andy Clifton, Cheltenham Racecourse’s Communications Manager, on 01242 513014, 07876 330090 (mobile) or by e-mail at andy.clifton@jockeyclubracecourses.com



TIMEFORM RATINGS FOR THE FIVE CHAMPIONSHIP RACES





totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup

Kauto Star (FR) 191+

Denman (IRE) 183

Imperial Commander (IRE) 175

Madison du Berlais (FR) 170

Cooldine (IRE) 161

Carruthers (GB) 160

Schindlers Hunt (IRE) 160

Mon Mome (FR) 159

What A Friend (GB) 159

Calgary Bay (IRE) 158

Casey Jones (IRE) 156

Notre Pere (FR) 154+

Taranis (FR) 153

My Will (FR) 153

Albertas Run (IRE) 152§

Tricky Trickster (IRE) 150p

Aran Concerto (IRE) 147

Cerium (FR) 137

Mr Pointment (IRE) ?



Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase

Master Minded (FR) 179

Twist Magic (FR) 168

Big Zeb (IRE) 164

Golden Silver (FR) 162

Kalahari King (FR) 162+

Tranquil Sea (IRE) 161

Petit Robin (FR) 158

Barker (IRE) 156

Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 156

Well Chief (GER) 156

Newmill (IRE) 155

Oh Crick (FR) 155

Sizing Europe (IRE) 154

Fix The Rib (IRE) 153

Free World (FR) 152

Mahogany Blaze (FR) 151

Cornas (NZ) 146



Ryanair Chase

Golden Silver (FR) 162

Tranquil Sea (IRE) 161

Barbers Shop (GB) 160

Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 160

Poquelin (FR) 160+

Schindlers Hunt (IRE) 160

Voy Por Ustedes (FR) 160

Jack The Giant (IRE) 159

Deep Purple (GB) 159

Petit Robin (FR) 158

Our Vic (IRE) 157

Barker (IRE) 156

Chapoturgeon (FR) 156

Forpadydeplasterer (IRE) 156

Newmill (IRE) 155

Planet of Sound (GB) 155+

Scotsirish (IRE) 155

Made In Taipan (IRE) 153

Something Wells (FR) 153

J'Y Vole (FR) 153+

Master Medic (IRE) 152

Albertas Run (IRE) 152§

Rare Bob (IRE) 149

Snowy Morning (IRE) 148

Aran Concerto (IRE) 147

The Fonze (IRE) 147

Deutschland (USA) 145

Consigliere (FR) 144

Panjo Bere (FR) 144

Tartak (FR) 144

Watch My Back (GB) 138

Glencove Marina (IRE) ?

Gwanako (FR) ?



Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle

Solwhit (FR) 165

Zaynar (FR) 165+

Binocular (FR) 164

Celestial Halo (IRE) 164

Punjabi (GB) 163

Khyber Kim (GB) 162

Go Native (IRE) 161+

Sublimity (FR) 160

Donnas Palm (IRE) 159

Medermit (FR) 157

Muirhead (IRE) 156

Quevega (FR) 155

Al Eile (IRE) 154

Jumbo Rio (IRE) 154

Won In The Dark (IRE) 154

Starluck (IRE) 153

Blue Bajan (IRE) 152

Dunguib (IRE) 152p

Voler La Vedette (IRE) 150

Ebadiyan (IRE) 145

Raise Your Heart (IRE) 140

Royal And Regal (IRE) 100p

Fiulin (GB) -p

Kargali (IRE)



Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Big Buck's (FR) 174+

Karabak (FR) 161

Tidal Bay (IRE) 160§

Sentry Duty (FR) 158+

Time For Rupert (IRE) 158

Pettifour (IRE) 157

Fair Along (GER) 156

Powerstation (IRE) 156

Mr Thriller (FR) 155

Oscar Dan Dan (IRE) 155

Ebadiyan (IRE) 154

Jumbo Rio (IRE) 154

Katchit (IRE) 154

Cousin Vinny (IRE) 153

Mourad (IRE) 152

War of Attrition (IRE) 152

Lie Forrit (IRE) 151+

Cape Tribulation (GB) 147

Kayf Aramis (GB) 146

Ballyfitz (GB) 144

Elzahann (IRE) 129

Royal And Regal (IRE) 100p

Fiulin (GB) -p

Gone To Lunch (IRE) ?

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

GETTING TO KNOW 'DENMAN' DAY NEWBURY 13.02.2010

NEWBURY SATURDAY 13.02.2010 “GETTING TO KNOW ‘DENMAN’ DAY” PREP RACE THE AON CHASE
FOR TONY McCOY TO PARTNER DENMAN AHEAD OF CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP ENTRY IN MARCH.


Monty Robert’s words “Let the horses do the talking ....” How can we apply these words to the actual performance that ‘Denman and Tony McCoy’ achieved together in this Aon Chase?

NOTE. It was found not so long ago that DENMAN suffered a fibrillating heart. He came back from veterinary treatment for this complaint to win the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on November 28th 2009. But did his heart kick in, in the closing stages of last Saturday’s Aon Chase? When McCoy was needing to ask him too give more?

Newbury’s 3m Aon Chase inclusive of 18 testing fences, with going stated to be good to soft in places, 6 runners to post.

Denman travelling and jumping well for McCoy throughout this race from the first fence and on throughout up and until attempting to tackle the fifteenth fence, four from home. There DENMEN found himself in trouble, directly McCoy asked him for more he had nothing left to give, he made a valiant attempt to get over fence fifteen unseating McCoy who only just managed to stay on board. A bad mistake at a critical stage in this race, will have shocked Denman giving his confidence a hefty knock.

Staring disaster in the face McCoy forced Denman forward riding with no time to spare, the broken warriors headed together for their final disaster at the sixteenth fence, three from home, Denman scarcely took off at all, more like threw himself at this key sixteenth fence crashing through it, this time loosing McCoy.

Trainer Paul Nicholls states that Denman is not the easiest of horses to train, that he is “Leary.” This means that Denman can at times be unpredictable, he is careful, he uses his brain and senses to protect himself from what he deems to be dangerous or spooky, his preference being to act to save himself from harm.


ENDS

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Monday, February 15, 2010

RACING REVIEW NEWBURY SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13th 2010

Great effort by Newbury racecourse ground staff who’s work insured that racing could take place there last Saturday.

Tony McCoy having his first ride on Denman came to grief in the Aon Chase due possibly to DENMAN getting tired in the ground, and attempting to cope with the false ground on the take off side and the landing side of those unforgiving fences when travelling at racing pace. All of which take some jumping, make no mistake about that.

Ruby Walsh only just managed to stay on board Master Minded to win The Game Spirit Chase, but a very near squeak, after blundering badly at the last fence. The great sequence of photographs in Sunday’s Racing Post go to show just how tricky jump racing can pan out to be.

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Saturday, February 13, 2010

WATCH CHANNEL4 THE MORNING LINE EVERY SATURDAY FROM 8AM TO 9AM.

A PREVIEW OF TODAY'S RUNNERS AND RIDERS.

An entertaining and interesting preview count down to today’s racing.

Today’s meetings covered by Channel4 Racing are:-
Newbury Jumps 1.30
Warwick Jumps 1.45


Channel4 The Morning Line’s Preview Team this morning:-
Nick Luck ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’, Specialist /Broadcaster/Commentator
Alastair Down ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’, Specialist /Broadcaster/Commentator/ Journalist
Tanya Stevenson ‘ Bloodhorse Illiterate’, Specialist /Broadcaster/Commentator
John Francome ‘Bloodhorse Literate’, Specialist/ Broadcaster/Commentator
Jim McGrath ‘Bloodhorse Illiterate’, Specialist /Broadcaster/Commentator/ Journalist
Guest Star: Ruby Walsh ‘Bloodhorse Literate’, Professional Jump Jockey Handler/Rider of the highest calibre.


Newbury Racecourse hosts a card with seven exciting races today. The feature, Race 4 the £150.000 Totesport Trophy Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1). In which 24 hurdlers are down to run.


Warwick Racecourse also hosts an interesting card with six races today. The second race, worth £17,103 to the winner. The totesport.com Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) over 2m. Five declared to run. Number 2 the talented and promising LONG RUN takes his chance here partnered by Mr Sam Waley-Cohen.

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Friday, February 12, 2010

POOR RACECOURSE MANAGEMENT AT NEWBURY

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 12 2010

RACECOURSE PREVIEW HITCH A DISASTER FOR THE WALEY-COHEN'S

The dilemma that Robert Waley – Cohen and his son Sam find themselves in before tomorrow’s race meetings (Saturday February 13th 2010) at Warwick and Newbury.

Sam Waley – Cohen set to partner leading novice chaser LONG RUN at Warwick in the 2:15 totesport.com Kingmaker Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m

Sam Waley – Cohen set to partner STRAVINSKY DANCE in the 3:05 totesport Trophy Hurdle (Handicap) (Grade 3) (Class 1) 2m half a furlong.

But due to Newbury Racecourse moving the start time forward by 35 minutes the sheduled 3:05 totesport Trophy Hurdle (Handicap) worth £150, 000 will now take
place at 2:25.instead. Richard Killoran (3) will now take the ride on STRAVINSKY DANCE.

Richard winner of the 2006- 07 Racing Post ‘Hands and Heals Jump Series, is now to stand in for Sam at Newbury, to take the ride on STRAVINSKY DANCE at the new time of 2:25 the totesport Trophy Hurdle (Handicap). Now to be started at 2:25 instead of 3:05.

Sam’s chance to get to Newbury from Warwick in time to take the ride on STRAVINSKY DANCE with the new start time amendments have made this impossible.

Robert Waley – Cohen admitted “We are just cross that there was such poor communication that the times had been changed round, quite contrary to what was written in the Racing Calendar, without anyone being informed ...

“I only found out because I happened to ring Richard Osgood to talk to him about getting there. No one had told me, no one had told Nicky Henderson .... the trainer of both horses. You make plans of that kind based on the published information, it’s extremely irritating.

“If times are moved around to fit in with the television schedule , they need to tell people. These are not minor races. We’d been planning to do this for some time. We’ve only got two horses with Nicky Henderson and we said we could run both on the same day, get from one track to the other, and Sam could claim 5lb of STRAVINSKY DANCE . We worked out we had 20 minutes in hand and when they moved it without telling anyone we had minus 15 minutes . That was the aggravation.”

Newbury managing director Stephen Higgins said the race time was changed about a month ago. The general ongoing problem allowed to go on unabated .... taking for granted all those who work at the dangerous sharp end of British horseracing, without which the British horseracing stage would be an empty one

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Monday, February 08, 2010

REMINDER WILLS WRITING AWARDS MEDIA RELEASE 2010

WRITE-UP! – REMINDER – ENTRIES FOR THE 18TH ANNUAL WILLS WRITING AWARDS CLOSE ON FEBRUARY 28 2010.

The Awards are for creative writing around a horseracing theme by young people. There are prizes for the winner and runner-up in three categories–under 26s/19s/15s.


The Awards offer £3,125 in prizes, an expenses-paid day at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting, and the opportunity to be published.


Today, Brough Scott, Chairman of the judges, issued a challenge to young writers.


He said: “I want you to take up this chance to dig into the unique mixture of the glorious and the absurd and the depressing that only a study of racing can give.


“For this is some chance. Let’s be blunt, read the conditions, guys - £3,125 in all, £1,250 to the overall winner, £250 and £125 even to the under 15s. I don’t know what your pocket money or student grants are like, but if you fancy writing and have been remotely interested in racing, you must be pretty fat and idle if you don’t want to have a cut at this.


“Crikey – if you were to win the whole Sports Writer of The Year prize, you won’t get more than a grand.”


For further details, see www.willswritingawards.co.uk


Enquiries:

Charles Ponsonby (Chairman, Martin Wills Memorial Trust)TEL: 020-7367-8851

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Saturday, February 06, 2010

WATCH CHANNEL4 'THE MORNING LINE' EVERY SATURDAY MORNING FROM 8AM TO 9AM.

A preview of Saturday's runners and riders.

Today’s meetings covered by Channel 4 are:-
Sandown Jumps 1.30
Doncaster Jumps 12.50
Wetherby Jumps 1.15

The Morning Line’s Preview Horseracing Team this morning:-
Leslie Graham
John McCririck
Tanya Stevenson
Jim McGrath
Simon Holt
Guest: Jeremy Kyle


To put briefly into context here, all the different parts that go to make up the whole package that is the Sport of British Horseracing, combined into what we are led to believe is a British multi billion pound industry. Considered to be one of the biggest industries in Britain. An industry that provides British Governments with huge revenue each and every year, ongoing over decades. Whilst all those who work daily at the dangerous sharp end, all those who do actually take all the risks each and every day in preparing all these bloodhorses for the track, all those who make up each and every licensed trainer team, remain to be poorly paid, and grossly misunderstood. Mega daylight robbery of the very worst kind.


There are four separate distinct parts that go to provide this sport. All of which need to compliment each of the other parts if British Horseracing is to be allowed to reach its true potential. Sadly at this point in time this is just not happening.

Part i. The Sport inclusive of all those taking an active part to include the horses. In which true regulation support is vital to ensure fair play … as supposedly needs to be the case in all sport.


Part ii. A fascinating Gambling Game that is open for anyone who wishes, to take
part in. Today’s panel appearing on the Morning Line, as set out above, all these
people as named are Bloodhorse Illiterate. They all belong in this section because they all have considerable knowledge within this domain/section/area of intelligence.


Part iii. Aim, to direct/open up British horseracing to provide families with the opportunity to enjoy a happy, entertaining, exciting, and memorable day out at the races. A Glamorous Garden Party leasure persuit, inclusive of horseracing and music.


Part iv. To bring out the True Rich History that British Horseracing throughout the centuries has achieved. To which so many have contributed so bravely for so long, without recognition of any sort … mostly all taken for granted.


Still wondering if the first steps on the way to recovery are managing to take root to just begin to peep through the frost and snow covered turf of winter, toward the miracle sight of those most beautiful little snow drops heralding the promise of spring. Whilst intentions may sound verbally good and in theory, 'in practice' realistically may well be dangerously impossible, forced out of focus through 'Bloodhorse Illiteracy' which is what has been allowed to happen to date.

Now the aim seems to be to develop British horseracing as British football has been developed. One difference being that a football, can never be compared with a live thoroughbred bloodhorse bred for racing. To open the sport up for all families to enjoy as a leisure time pursuit a good day out. Still a long, long way to go ....In the present order of things that is .....



First and foremost the health of the sport that is British horseracing. How you rear
your pup you get your dog, if you do not bother to rear your pup you end up with a confused and unhappy dog. If you do not bother to rear your sons and daughters you end up with young adults who are confused and unhappy. Just the same with foals, yearlings and two year olds. Bloodhorse Illiteracy ongoing within the British Regulation parties Jockey Club, British Horseracing Board, Horse Racing Association, and now the British Horseracing Authority, Licensing, Stewarding and Disciplinary all have failed miserably to ensure the rights and needs of all young ones, to include the horses, just starting out on the path of life are properly cared for and carefully tutored, by parties who do have the right knowledge and expertise. To refuse to ensure that true foundation career structures are available and in place, to Turfcall a cardinal error of the very worst kind. Something that cannot be cured in an instant if at all.

At present we have far too many Bloodhorse Illiterate British Horseracing Authority regulators, together with their Licensing, Stewarding and Disciplinary people attempting to right the many wrongs in an instant that they have failed to address over decades. Passing on the blame of their own failings, to the people that they have been letting down and ignoring over decades, all those who work daily at the dangerous sharp end to include the horses. Kieren Fallon, Graham Bradley, Jamie Osbourne and Nick Henderson, to name only a few here.

ENDS

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Friday, February 05, 2010

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL LADIES DAY THURSDAY MARCH 18.

CHELTENHAM ANNOUNCES THE NAMES OF THE 12 RIDERS TAKING PART IN THE FESTIVAL CHARITY SWEEPSTAKE RACE ON LADIES DAY



Cheltenham Racecourse today announced the names of the 12 riders that will take part in the Festival Ladies Charity Sweepstake in aid of Cancer Research UK. The flat race, over one mile and five furlongs, takes place on Ladies Day, Thursday, March 18, and will be run at 5.15pm as the seventh race of the day. Participants are required to provide their own mount that must have run at least twice under the recognised Rules of Racing.



The riders, selected from 136 applications, exhibit a wide range of equestrian skills and experience. They include Ladies Day Ambassador Georgie Browne, Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of International media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, Anne Marie Adams, who works for Laurence Robertson MP, in whose constituency Cheltenham Racecoure sits and Camilla Henderson, daughter of racehorse trainer Nicky Henderson. Elisabeth Murdoch expressed her delight at being selected. She said: “It's going to be an amazing thrill and honour to ride round Cheltenham.”



Cheltenham’s Managing Director, Edward Gillespie, added: “We were delighted with the interest shown in this race and it was a hard task to reduce the high number of applicants down to just 12. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these ladies to experience the thrill of riding at The Festival, but more importantly, it will raise a significant amount of money for a very worthy cause.”



The ladies are committed to raising at least £5,000 each for Cancer Research UK, the official Ladies Day charity for 2010. The 12 Ladies taking part are:



Georgie Browne (33, from Somerset), is the partner of champion trainer Paul Nicholls and regular work rider on dual Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Master Minded. She is also the Ladies Day Ambassador for 2010.



Elisabeth Murdoch (42, London), is the CEO and Chairman of the Shine Group, second daughter of media magnate Rupert Murdoch and is married to Matthew Freud, son of the late writer Sir Clement Freud. Since founding Shine in 2001, she has steered its growth from a single multi-genre independent production companies to one of the biggest international producers and distributors of television in the world. Shine Group programmes include Masterchef, Spooks, Hustle and Merlin. Elisabeth has been riding since she was four and is trying to event as much as she can.



Camilla Henderson (22, Lambourn), is currently studying psychology at Bristol University. She hopes to qualify as a chartered sports psychologist and work in horse racing. She has represented Britain in the pony FEI team, three-day evented at national level and ridden a point-to-point winner. This is Camilla's sixth charity race and she will be following a proud family tradition as both of her parents and her grandfather also rode at Cheltenham.



Anne Marie Adams (38, Gloucestershire), lives in Twyning, close to Cheltenham. She has ridden since childhood but this will be the first charity race in which she has taken part. She works for Tewkesbury Conservative MP Laurence Robertson, in whose constituency the racecourse falls.



Orna Madden (31, Dublin), is a Barrister practising in Dublin, where she has worked for the past six years. She began her three-day eventing career in 1991 and continued competing until 2005. She has represented Ireland at both the European Young Rider Championships in 1999 and the European Pony Championships in 1992. Orna is a Board Member of the UPMC Whitfield Cancer Centre and the Whitfield Clinic, Waterford, Ireland.



Elaine Curran (33, Lancashire), lives in West Lancashire with her husband, three horses and three dogs and works full time as an Area Account Manager for a national cleaning company. Elaine spent her junior years show jumping and started point-to-pointing two seasons ago. Elaine is riding and raising money in memory of her Dad and her Aunt who both lost their lives to cancer.



Rachael Kane (26, Dublin), represented Ireland as a member of the Irish squad for mounted games on two occasions and rode at the Royal Dublin Horse Show. Last year Rachael took out her Amateur Jockey’s Licence and rode in a charity race at the Punchestown National Hunt Festival. Rachael works as a journalist and will be attending The Festival in March to cover all the racing action for the Irish Daily Star newspaper.



Helen Needham (39, West Midlands), is looking forward to riding at The Festival as a fantastic opportunity to mark the milestone event of her 40th birthday in April. Helen, who is married to Philip and mother of Holly, enjoyed 10 point-to-point wins before retiring 13 years ago. She works for the family oil distribution business and currently trains five point-to-pointers for her parents.



Germaine Oliver (49, Cheltenham), is an Interior Designer, with children at Cheltenham College and currently rides out for Jonjo O’Neill. Germaine was an active member of the University of Cork’s Equestrian Club and competed in England, Holland, Germany and Austria as a member of the Irish Universities equestrian team.



Kate Doyle (31, Dublin), has worked as a Development Surveyor since 2003 and is an associate member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors. She is a former three-day event rider, having ridden at young rider European and International level. She has held an amateur licence, riding under rules and in point-to-points.



Amy Weaver (28, Newmarket), is currently Britain’s youngest female racehorse trainer. Born in Cheltenham, she now shares a house in Newmarket with best friend and leading lady jockey Hayley Turner who has promised to coach her for her first competitive ride in a race.



Caitrin O’Rourke (24, Co Meath, Ireland), was the winner of a charity race at Punchestown in May 2009 and is a regular work rider for Oliver Brady. Caitrin works as a children’s nurse at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin and writes a weekly column for the Irish Field. She will be riding a horse provided by the sponsor of the Ryanair Chase, Michael O’Leary.



Associate Director of Cancer Research UK, Jools Tait said: "Cancer Research UK is delighted to be the official charity for Ladies Day at The Festival. We would like to say a huge thank you to Cheltenham Racecourse and to each of the ladies who have signed up to the charity sweepstake. The money raised will make a real difference to the vital work of our scientists, doctors and cancer patients both now and in the future. We wish all participants the best of luck and hope that they enjoy the day".



The Festival 2010 takes place from Tuesday to Friday, March 16 to 19.



For further information about Ladies Day or pictures of the riders, please contact Victoria Schlesinger at Montpellier PR on 07798 877 125 or via victoria@montpelliergroup.com



For more information about any aspect of racing at Cheltenham, please contact Cheltenham’s Communications Manager, Andy Clifton on 07876 330090 or via andy.clifton@jockeyclubracecourses.com

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Thursday, February 04, 2010

BRITISH / UNITED KINGDOM MP'S PARLIAMENTARY EXPENSES SCANDAL

MP'S Parliamentary Expenses Scandal: Appeals Fail.
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See also: Salaries of Members of the United Kingdom Parliament and List of expenses claims in the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal

The Palace of Westminster The United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal is a major political scandal triggered by the publication of expense claims made by members of the United Kingdom Parliament over several years. Public outrage was caused by disclosure of widespread actual and alleged misuse of the permitted allowances and expenses claimed by Members of Parliament (MPs), following failed attempts by parliament to prevent disclosure under Freedom of Information legislation. The scandal aroused widespread anger among the UK public against MPs and a loss of confidence in politics. It resulted in a large number of resignations, sackings, de-selections and retirement announcements, together with public apologies and the repayment of expenses. It also created pressure for political reform extending well beyond the issue of expenses.

In the United Kingdom MPs can claim expenses, including the cost of accommodation, "wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the performance of a Member’s parliamentary duties".[1] In February 2008 a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for the release of details of MPs' expenses claims was allowed by an Information Tribunal. The House of Commons Authorities challenged the decision on the grounds that it was "unlawfully intrusive".[2] In May 2008, the English High Court ruled in favour of releasing the details of MP's expenses claims.[3][4] and in April 2009 the House of Commons authorities announced that full publication of expenses would be made in July 2009,[5] with certain information, which they deemed sensitive, being withheld.[6]

However, The Daily Telegraph newspaper obtained a leaked full copy of the expenses records and began publishing details in daily instalments from 8 May 2009. These disclosures dominated the British media for weeks, with the findings being considered to show flagrant and sometimes gross misuse of the expenses system for personal gain by many MPs, including Government ministers, and across all parties.

On 18 June 2009 the details of all MPs' expenses and allowance claims that were approved during the period 2004 to 2008 were published on the official Parliament website. However items of detail such as addresses were blacked out (or "redacted"), and the publication excluded claims that were not approved for payment by the Commons authorities as well as any correspondence between MPs and the parliamentary fees office. These omissions resulted in further accusations of unnecessary secrecy.[7][8] Details of voluntary repayments by MPs amounting to almost £500,000 were also officially published.[9]

A panel was established to investigate all claims relating to the second homes allowance between 2004 and 2008. Headed by former civil servant Sir Thomas Legg, the panel published its findings on 12 October as MPs returned to Westminster following the summer recess. Each MP received a letter in which they were informed whether or not they would be required to repay any expenses they had claimed.

Contents [hide]
1 Background and legal proceedings
2 Pre-publication controversies
3 Information disclosed by The Daily Telegraph
3.1 Areas of abuse
3.2 Specific claims
4 Source of information
5 Media handling
6 Impact
6.1 Political response
6.2 Legal responses
6.3 Resignations and disciplinary action
6.3.1 Resignation of the Speaker
6.3.2 Cabinet and Ministerial resignations
6.3.3 Labour backbenchers
6.3.4 Conservatives
6.3.5 Peers
6.4 Creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
6.5 Surge in independent candidates
6.6 Effect on MPs and on the political structure
6.7 Reform proposals
7 Police and tax authority responses
8 Independent audit
9 References
10 External links


[edit] Background and legal proceedings
In January 2005, the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force, allowing members of the public to request disclosure of information from public bodies. Two early requests came from the journalists Ben Leapman and Jon Ungoed-Thomas. Another request came from journalist and freedom of information campaigner Heather Brooke. All three asked for details of the expenses claimed by certain MPs to be released.[10] The requests were subsequently passed over to the Information Commissioner, who joined the three journalists' cases together and ordered the release of some information on 15 June 2007.[11] House of Commons authorities objected to this order in June 2007 and MPs had, in May 2007, voted in favour of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill which sought to exempt MPs from the 2000 act. The House of Commons voted 96 to 25 in favour of the Exemption of the House of Commons amendment [12] but the bill was ultimately withdrawn prior to second reading in the House of Lords because peers were unwilling to sponsor the bill.[13][14]

In February 2008, after referral to an Information Tribunal, it was held that Commons authorities would release information on 14 MPs.[15] This decision was subsequently appealed against, delaying the release of information.[16][17]

In the tax year 2007-2008, MPs' costs of staying away from their main homes was limited to £23,083.[18]

In January 2009, Harriet Harman, Leader of the House of Commons, tabled a motion which would exempt MPs' expenses from being disclosed under a Freedom of Information request, in order to prevent any further disclosure of information.[19] Labour MPs were placed under a three line whip in order to force the motion through the Commons. However, opposition parties stated they would vote against the proposals, and large scale public opposition emerged. The proposals were ultimately dropped on 21 January 2009. The Commons authorities announced that full disclosure of all MPs’ expenses would be published on 1 July 2009.[14]

Ultimately the media disclosure made the legal appeal moot; the appeal was finally heard at the High Court, which ruled on 16 May 2008 in favour of releasing the information.[3] No appeal was lodged against the High Court ruling, and the requested details were made public on 23 May 2008.[20]

[edit] Pre-publication controversies
Main article: List of expenses claims in the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal
Prior to The Daily Telegraph's revelations in May and June 2009 and the official publication of expenses claims in June 2009, and during the Freedom of Information cases, there were a variety of exposés that covered the controversial John Lewis List (a list considered to indicate amounts that could be claimed without question) and individual MPs’ expenses claims.[14] Examples of items publicised prior to the May 2009 disclosures included:

Conservative Derek Conway was alleged in May 2007 to have employed and paid his son, a student at the time. The matter was forwarded to the House of Commons Standards and Privileges Committee. whose report dated 28 January 2008 concluded there was no record of such work. Conway was suspended for 10 days and ordered to repay £13,000.[21] Conway was also expelled from the party. A second case a year later found he had done the same with regard to his other son.[22]
Chairman of the Conservative Party Caroline Spelman was alleged in June 2008 to have paid for her nanny out of parliamentary expenses during her early years in Parliament, between 1997 and 1998[23] – an allegation that became known as "Nannygate". It was ruled that she had inadvertently "misapplied part of [her] parliamentary allowances", but calls for her sacking were rebutted since she might not have been aware of the rules governing the use or purpose of parliamentary allowances. The committee recommended that Spelman repay £9,600.[24]
Married couple and Labour Cabinet ministers, Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper were accused in September 2007 of exploiting the Commons' allowances system in order to pay for a £655,000 house in London.[25] The complaint, centering on the gain made by allocation of their "second house", was dismissed since it was held the couple had acted in accordance with parliamentary rules.[26]
Married Conservative MPs Sir Nicholas and Lady Winterton were accused in June 2008 of claiming back mortgage interest on a mortgage they had fully repaid, on a flat they owned in London, and then also placing the flat in trust and claiming for the rent on it.[27] It was held there had been a clear breach of the rules, but no repayment was ordered.[28]
Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was stated to have claimed for her main home by designating it as a second home, while identifying as her main home a location she spent as little as 2 days a week, and despite also having access to a "grace and favour" home in Westminster. No investigation was held, however, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards stating there was "not sufficient evidence for an inquiry".[29] A string of further claims came to light in 2009, including various domestic items[30] and a claim for two pornographic films viewed by her husband Richard Timney.[31]
Labour minister Tony McNulty admitted claiming expenses for a second home in Harrow, 8 miles from his main home in Hammersmith, and asserted they were appropriate, but ceased claiming the allowances.[32] Under continuing pressure, he apologised to the House for expenses abuses on 29 October 2009.
Conservative MP Eric Pickles likewise was identified as claiming for a second home 37 miles from his main home.[33]
[edit] Information disclosed by The Daily Telegraph
In May 2009, two months prior to the official disclosure of full expenses claims, The Daily Telegraph newspaper obtained a full copy of all expenses claims. The Telegraph began publishing in instalments from 8 May 2009, certain MPs' expenses.[34] The Telegraph justified the publication of the information because it contended that the official information due to be released would have omitted key information about re-designating of second-home nominations.[35]

The Telegraph has refused to disclose whether, and, if anything, how much it had paid for the information, which originated from the parliamentary fees office. The information had been offered to other newspaper organisations, for more than £150,000.[36][37] Shortly after the publication of the information, the House of Commons authorities asked the Metropolitan Police to investigate, a request that the Metropolitan Police declined, on the grounds that a prosecution would not be in the public interest.[35][38]

[edit] Areas of abuse
Alongside specific allegations of incorrect claims such as claims for the cost of mortgages which it transpired had already been repaid in full[39] the Telegraph alleged[40][41][42] that parliamentary “Green Book” expenses rules[43] gave wide scope for a number of abuses, especially those related to costs of maintaining two residences, one in the constituency and one in London. Areas of questionable claims highlighted by the Telegraph included (but were not limited to):

Nominating second homes: The Green Book states that "the location of your main home will normally be a matter of fact" MPs and peers were able to ensure that their second home was the one which enabled them to claim more expenses.[44][45][46] In at least one case (Margaret Moran) the nominated home was near neither constituency nor Westminster.[47]
Re-designating second homes: That MPs were able repeatedly to switch the designation of their second home, enabling them to claim for purchasing (e.g. Stamp Duty), renovating and furnishing more than one property.[48] This practice became widely-known as "flipping".[49]
Renting out homes: That MPs were able to claim for their “second home” while they were, in fact, renting other homes out. In most cases the rented homes were ‘third’ properties,[50][51] but in Elliott Morley’s case, a second home was rented to another MP, Ian Cawsey who was claiming the rent on expenses.[52]
Over-claiming for council tax on second home: By rounding up actual amounts due, claiming for 12 monthly installments where only 10 were due or by claiming up to £250.00 per month with no receipt required until those rules were changed. Over 50 MPs were alleged to have over-claimed council tax.[53]
Subsidising property development: That the Green Book rule that MPs could not claim for repairs "beyond making good dilapidations" was not enforced and consequently that MPs were able to add significantly to the value of a property.[54][55] By implication some “second homes” were effectively businesses (not homes) since they were renovated on expenses and then rapidly sold.[56]
Evading tax and inappropriate attempts at avoiding tax: That MPs either evaded tax, or inappropriately deemed themselves not required to pay tax on reimbursements when it was likely tax was due. This covered two areas:
Capital Gains tax: MPs were able to designate a property as their second home with the parliamentary fees office so as to claim the cost of renovating it on expenses, but a number of MPs had concurrently described a property as their second home to claim expenses, and to the UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs as their primary residence in order to sell it without Capital Gains tax.[57] Some also designated a property as a primary or secondary residence for tax or expenses benefits which was apparently little if at all used by them in that role.
Income tax: A number of MPs were criticized for non-payment of income tax for benefits in kind or for reimbursed expenses considered under UK tax law to be of a personal nature. As of 31 May 2009, some 40 MPs had been identified as claiming for personal expenses such as preparation of their tax returns, despite UK tax law and ministerial guidance both of which had stated such expenses were not claimable for tax purposes;[58] of those claiming, only a minority paid tax on the benefit in kind.
Claiming expenses while living in grace and favour homes: That ministers with "grace and favour" homes in Westminster as well as their existing primary residence, were able to claim for a further "second home" in addition.[59]
Renovating and furnishing properties when standing down: That MPs were able to claim for renovations and furniture even when they had already announced their intention to resign from Parliament.[60][61]
Furnishing of other homes: That MPs were able to claim for items of furniture that were actually delivered somewhere other than their second home.[62][63][64]
Exploiting the 'no receipt' rule: That MPs submitted a large number of claims for just below £250, the ceiling under which they were not required to produce receipts, without being challenged as to their legitimacy.[65][66]
Over-claiming for food: That, under a rule permitting up to £400 for food each month (without receipts), MPs were simply able to claim the whole £400 every month, even when Parliament was not sitting.[67][68]
Overspending at the end of the financial year: That MPs were able to submit claims just before the end of the financial year, so as to use up allowances, without being challenged as to their legitimacy.[69][70]
[edit] Specific claims
Main article: List of expenses claims in the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal
The Telegraph firstly revealed expenses of the governing Labour Party, beginning with the Cabinet on 8 May 2009, before releasing details of the claims by junior ministers and Labour backbenchers. Further allegations were made on Thursday 14 May. The main allegations the newspaper made, alongside any responses to them from the various MPs, are shown in the related article.

On 11 and 12 May, publication focused on the frontbench of the Conservative Party.[71] followed by the claims of backbench Conservative MPs whom the newspaper dubbed "the grandees" of the party.[72] On 12 May, the Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron, announced that all questionable claims by the Shadow Cabinet would be repaid.[73]

The Liberal Democrats expenses were revealed last of the three main parties.[74] followed by Sinn Féin members' claims in which it was reported that the five Sinn Féin MPs together had claimed nearly £500,000 in second home allowances, despite never taking up their seats at Westminster due to the party's abstentionist policy.[75][76] Sinn Féin stated that its members often have to travel to London on parliamentary business.[76]

The claims published by The Daily Telegraph ultimately covered the entire gamut of Parliament — all major parties and several minor ones, ministers (including the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, cabinet and shadow cabinet members) through to backbenchers, and members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. A number of members were expelled from their parties, or would not stand for re-election, some members repaid in part or whole, sums they had previously claimed. Expenses claims repaid to date have included several amounts from £10,000 up to £42,000, as well as payments to the UK tax authority for taxes on possible gains or income previously not paid.[77]

[edit] Source of information
Former SAS officer Major John Wick, the owner of a London based risk management company[78][79] has been named as the middle-man for an un-named whistleblower; he has spoken of the need to bring the information he had been given into the public domain.[80] Wick stated that:

The person on the end of the line told me he had a hard drive which contained details of every MP's expense claims over the past four years. Every receipt, every claim and every piece of correspondence between MPs and fees office staff was detailed – some four million separate pieces of information [...] those directly involved in processing the raw data were shocked and appalled by what they were seeing.[79]
I was also being told that critical information – particularly the removal of addresses from the files – would lead to many of the scams never being publicly exposed. The ultimate source was adamant that the key thing was that both the information and the way in which it was handled should be in the public domain and that its release was in the public interest [...] I was assured that the data was not stolen but that it was an unregistered copy that had been produced as a result of the lax and unprofessional security procedures.[79]
Wick went on to explain that following legal advice and review, and soul searching over loyalties, he had felt the matter was of sufficient concern to merit publication in a "serious newspaper", and following discussions with a number of papers, the Telegraph had been granted exclusive access to study the material for 10 days from 30 April 2009.[79]

There is an unresolved issue with the data itself, with different numbers being cited by different sources. The Telegraph stated that 4 million pieces of information existed; The Guardian states there were 2 million ("two million documents in all, including copies of expense claim forms, handwritten comments scrawled in margins, even attached sticky notes").[81]

[edit] Media handling
In May 2009, major national newspapers such as The Times described the resulting controversy as "Parliament's darkest day"[82] and a "full blown political crisis",[83] reporting upon cross-party firings and resignations, an exodus of shamed MPs,[82] the prospect of criminal[84] and tax evasion[85][86][87] charges, and a motion of no confidence being prepared against the Speaker.[88]

Public interest in the expenses debate led to the 14 May 2009 edition of the BBC political and current affairs television programme Question Time recording its highest viewing figures in its 30 year run, of 3.8 million, with audience members heckling guest panelist Margaret Beckett. This figure was a million more than usual, and surpassed the figure of 3.4 million recorded in 2003 just as the coalition declared war on Iraq.[89][90] The following week's edition on 21 May was brought forward for a special edition into the prime time slot of 9pm BST.

Nadine Dorries, a Conservative MP, criticised the Telegraph's handling, which she described as "picking off a few MPs each day, emailing at noon, giving five hours to reply, recording the conversation, not allowing them to speak, telling them they are going to publish anyway".[91] She stated that the stress felt by some MPs was akin to "torture". Her comment was rejected by senior Conservatives. (See also Effect on MPs and on the political structure below)

[edit] Impact
A widespread public reaction was heightened as a result of several factors: the incident broke in the face of an economic recession and financial crisis, under an already-unpopular government,[92][93] only weeks before the 2009 European Parliamentary elections.

[edit] Political response
Following the publication of expenses politicians from all parties responded to the controversy.

Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, during a speech to the Royal College of Nursing Conference on Monday 11 May, apologised "on behalf of all politicians" for the expenses claims that had been made.[94]
David Cameron, the Leader of the Opposition, said that all MPs should apologise for the expenses scandal, shortly after the Telegraph published the claims of members of the Shadow Cabinet. Cameron also admitted that the existing system "was wrong and we're sorry about it".[95] The following day, Tuesday 12 May, Cameron said that some of the claims made were "unethical and wrong", and imposed new rules on what Conservative MPs could claim for in the future.[73]
Michael Martin, the Commons Speaker made a statement to MPs on 11 May, the first sitting of the Commons since the Daily Telegraph began publishing specific details of individual claims. Martin said that "serious change" was required in the future and that, in the present, MPs should not just work within the rules, an explanation that many accused MPs had given in their defence, but rather in "the spirit of what is right". The Speaker also announced that a new 'Operational Assurance Unit' would be set up to independently oversee all claims, and that the House of Commons Commission would meet that evening to discuss whether or not to bring forward the official expenses publication date from 1 July.[96]
In the aftermath of the Speaker's statement to MPs, questions were widely raised regarding Martin's future in the job,[96][97] largely due to his focusing on the actual leak of information, rather than the expenses themselves, and due to his response to the point of order raised by the Labour MP Kate Hoey, who suggested that the Speaker and Commons' decision to call in the police was "an awful waste of resources".[98] A Conservative MP, Douglas Carswell, subsequently announced that he planned to table a motion of no confidence in the Speaker, if he could garner sufficient support.[99]
Harriet Harman, the Leader of the House of Commons, asked Don Touhig, the Chairman of the Members' Allowance Committee, to devise a method for MPs to repay any excessive expenses.[100]
Ben Bradshaw, Minister of State in the Department of Health, raised the spectre of MPs being sent to prison for abusing the expenses system.[101]
William Hague, Shadow Foreign Secretary and a senior member of the Shadow Cabinet (Deputy to party leader David Cameron), also suggested that a number of MPs may face criminal prosecution after details of their claims were disclosed.[101]
Lord Tebbit, a Eurosceptic and former Chairman of the Conservative Party, urged voters to snub the main three political parties in the upcoming EU Parliament election. Tebbit, who in March 2009 revealed that he would vote for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), said "Local elections, the Great British public should just treat as normal" but suggested using the European election to send a message to the implicated parties. Tebbit pointed out that there were a series of smaller parties people could vote for in addition to UKIP, including the Green Party, but he urged against voting for the British National Party.[102]
Lord Foulkes, when being interviewed for BBC News by Carrie Gracie to defend Michael Martin, asked Gracie how much money she earned. When she said she earned £92,000, Foulkes said: "£92,000? So you're paid nearly twice as much as an MP to come on and talk this nonsense." Gracie defended herself by saying that she paid for all of her phone calls and "understood what public sector money is about".[103]
[edit] Legal responses
On 27 May, Lord Millett, a Privy Councillor and past Law Lord (1998 – 2004) and Lord Justice of Appeal (1994–1998), described as "astounding" the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the office responsible for the UK's entire taxation system) had himself claimed as expenses of his office, expenses that were of a personal nature under UK tax law (in this case tax return preparation costs).[104]

Guidance to ministers in 2005 had also stated that such expenses were not claimable for tax purposes;[58]

[edit] Resignations and disciplinary action
Wikinews has related news:
British House of Commons' Speaker addresses Parliament ahead of vote of no confidence
UK House of Commons' Speaker resigns

[edit] Resignation of the Speaker
The resignation of Michael Martin Speaker of the House of Commons followed after he was pressured to step down for approving the allowances system that MPs have manipulated with questionable claims of expenses. The pressure and viable threats of a proposed vote of no confidence in Martin,ultimately forced his resignation.[105] Michael Martin’s response to the handling of the expense crisis, was not well received by the majority of the House. He attacked MPs in Parliament who defended The Daily Telegraph for publishing details of expenses and allowances. Martin then concluded his part in the debate over how to handle the expense scandal, by announcing that the Commons clerk had referred the matter of the leaked information to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner. Overall, Martin appeared to be more concerned with the nature of the leak of the information, which led to The Daily Telegraph’s publishing details of MPs expenses and allowances, rather than offering an anticipated apology or explanation. The majority of the MPs felt Martin’s defensive approach and attacks on various MPs as whistleblowers and the backbenchers was a clear indication that Martin was no longer able to lead the House with the required impartiality. MPs from his own majority party, Labour and the minority opposition party, the Conservatives, felt he had lost the confidence of the public and the House, in general.[106][107][108] Martin was the first Speaker to be forced out of the office by a motion of no confidence since John Trevor in 1695.[109] Despite apologising to the public on behalf of the House of Commons on 18 May,[110] Michael Martin announced his resignation as Speaker of the House of Commons and as Member of Parliament for Glasgow North East the following day, both effective 21 June.[111]

[edit] Cabinet and Ministerial resignations
Shahid Malik stepped down as justice minister on 15 May to allow the prime minister's independent adviser on ministerial interests, Sir Philip Mawer, to investigate his financial arrangements. The investigation covered allegations that Malik had benefited from a preferential rent that he had failed to declare in the ministerial register; it did not relate to his expenses claims.[67] On 9 June, Malik rejoined the government as a junior communities minister after being cleared of breaching the ministerial code.[112]
Jacqui Smith announced that she would step down as Home Secretary after the European elections, but would contest her seat at the next election.[113]
Hazel Blears announced on 3 June that she would step down as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.[114]
Tony McNulty resigned from his position as Minister for Employment during the cabinet reshuffle on 5 June 2009.[115]
Geoff Hoon left his position as Secretary of State for Transport during the cabinet reshuffle on 5 June 2009, in order for him to spend more time on European and international issues with him being considered a possible candidate as the next British member of the European Commission.[116]
Kitty Ussher resigned as Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury on 17 June, after only 8 days in the position, following details of avoiding capital gains tax being published.[117]
[edit] Labour backbenchers
The Labour Party formed a three-person panel of its National Executive Committee (NEC) in order to investigate some of its MPs who were referred to it over expenses allegations, which quickly became known as the "Star Chamber" (a reference to the court of the same name employed by English monarchs to dispense summary justice in the 16th and 17th centuries).[118][119]

Ben Chapman announced on 21 May 2009 that he would stand down at the next election, while maintaining that he had done nothing wrong; he said he would resign because the story in the Daily Telegraph had been hurtful to his family, friends and local party members. He was the first Labour MP who announced he would stand down.[120]
Ian McCartney is to stand down at the next election on health grounds.[121]
Elliot Morley announced on 29 May that he would not stand for re-election,[122] and has also been barred from standing for Labour at the next general election by the NEC's "star chamber".[123]
David Chaytor announced that he would not stand for re-election,[124] and has also been barred from standing for Labour at the next general election.[123]
Ian Gibson was also barred from representing Labour at the next general election. He was said to be "deeply disappointed".[123] On 5 June, Gibson announced his resignation as an MP, forcing a by-election to be held in his Norwich North constituency on 23 July 2009, which Labour went on to lose to the Conservatives.[125]
Jim Devine was deselected on 16 June following a disciplinary hearing by the Labour party "star chamber".[123][126]
Margaret Moran also decided not to contest the next election,[127] and has also been barred from standing for Labour at the next general election.[123]
Harry Cohen announced he would not stand for re-election. He said the strain caused by the criticism over his expenses, and the formal investigation into his claims, were the main factors behind his departure.[128]
[edit] Conservatives
On 14 May, Andrew MacKay, the Conservative MP for Bracknell, resigned as Parliamentary aide to David Cameron over what he described as "unacceptable" expenses claims made by him. Subsequently he decided to stand down at the next Bracknell parliamentary election.[129] His wife, Julie Kirkbride who represents Bromsgrove, decided on 28 May 2009 that she too would not stand at the next general election.[130]
Douglas Hogg announced on 19 May that he would retire from Parliament at the next general election.[131]
Anthony Steen announced on 20 May that he would retire from Parliament at the next general election.[132]
Sir Peter Viggers announced on 20 May that he would retire from Parliament at the next general election.[133]
Husband and wife Conservative backbenchers Sir Nicholas and Lady Ann Winterton announced their intention to stand down at the next election.[134]
Christopher Fraser stated he would stand down to "care for his ill wife".[135]
Ian Taylor announced he would retire at the next general election. He had been claiming the maximum allowed for a second home allowance for a London home for four years between 2003 and 2008, even though his main residence was in Guildford – 40 minutes from Westminister.[136]
[edit] Peers
Baroness Uddin faces a police investigation for alleged fraud for claiming at least £180,000 in expenses by designating an empty flat, and previously an allegedly non existent property as her main residence.[137][138]
[edit] Creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority
On 20 May 2009 Harriet Harman announced the creation of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, intended to manage Members' expenses at an "arm's length" from the House, ending the historical self-policing by MPs of their expenses. The IPSA will be responsible for: paying MPs’ annual salaries; drawing up, reviewing, and administering an MPs’ allowances scheme; providing MPs with publicly available information relating to taxation issues; preparing the MPs’ code of conduct relating to financial interests; and determining the procedures for investigations and complaints relating to MPs. Henceforth, there will therefore be two codes of conduct for MPs to follow: a non-statutory code drawn up by the House of Commons itself; and a statutory code drawn up by the IPSA. The IPSA will take over some of the functions previously undertaken by the Fees Office. It will not, however, determine the level of MPs’ pay. That will remain a matter for the Senior Salaries Review Body which annually informs the Speaker of the House of Commons of the percentage increase to be awarded to MPs.

[edit] Surge in independent candidates
A surge in proposed independent candidates and enhanced profile of minority parties were noted in the press.[139] In various cases these candidates stood in recognition of the loss of public goodwill suffered by established MPs and parties, and proposed to stand on "clean slate" or anti-sleaze platforms.[140] In the immediate aftermath of the revelations, a Populus survey said that only 45% of people were committed to voting in the next general election (although 54% said they wanted an election as soon as possible), which had fallen by around a quarter since before the disclosures began. The Conservatives still maintained their lead over Labour, but support for the BNP was up.[141] The poll showed that 19% of voters were prepared to vote outside of the main three parties, with the British National Party, Green Party of England and Wales, and United Kingdom Independence Party also hoping to capitalize, and was particularly pertinent because of the subsequent European Parliament election.[142]

[edit] Effect on MPs and on the political structure
The expenses disclosures were published over an extended period of time, with the focus moving to different MPs daily. As a result there was significant pressure on MPs who did not know whether, and for what, they would be discussed, as well as a general deepening hostility that grew over a relatively long period.

On 22 May 2009 Nadine Dorries, the Conservative MP for Mid-Befordshire went on record in saying that many of her colleagues "feared a suicide" and that MPs were "beginning to crack". She likened the atmosphere in Westminster to that surrounding Senator Joseph McCarthy's "witch hunts" of suspected Communists during the 1950s.[143] The comment led to a forceful rebuke by Conservative leader David Cameron, who stated that the anger and mood were warranted and that MPs should be more concerned about what the public were thinking.[144][145]

On 23 May 2009 the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams warned about the potential effect of the controversy on the democratic process, and that "the continuing systematic humiliation of politicians itself threatens to carry a heavy price in terms of our ability to salvage some confidence in our democracy."[146] On the same day writing in The Times, columnist and former MP Matthew Parris reflected that "extravagance, genuine mistake, sly acquisitiveness and outright criminal fraud are now jumbled together in the national mind as though there were no moral differences"[147]

"I'd had four weeks of intense media pressure, the like of which I have never known, not just on me but on my husband, my dad, my family. At that point I'd had enough"
— Hazel Blears, speaking of her regret at the decisions she made when resigning from the Government
On 11 June 2009 ex-communities secretary Hazel Blears, who chose to resign from the government just before the English county council and European elections, said that she regretted the timing of her decision. She also stated that her decision to wear a brooch with the words 'rocking the boat' on the same day as the resignation was a "stupid thing to do". Speaking to the Manchester Evening News she said of the brooch "It was a brooch my husband had given me. I'd had four weeks of intense media pressure, the like of which I have never known, not just on me but on my husband, my dad, my family. At that point I'd had enough. It was a stupid thing to do but I think it was just trying to put a brave face on – not going out cowed on the basis of expenses claims that genuinely are not true."[148]

[edit] Reform proposals
On 25 May 2009, Health Secretary Alan Johnson (seen as a possible candidate for Labour leadership) stated that one response to the controversy should be a full review of the electoral and political system. He proposed as part of this, a referendum on changing the electoral system to Alternative Vote Plus.[149]

David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader of the opposition, set out his proposal for reform in The Guardian.[150] He proposed strengthening the power of backbenchers over the government, and other measures as part of 'a radical redistribution of power'. Writing in the Guardian on 27 May 2009, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg suggested cancelling MPs holidays until 'the constitutional crisis sparked by the row over expenses is resolved'.[151] Setting out a week by week plan Clegg made wide ranging proposals from placing a cap on individual donations to political parties, to replacing the House of Lords with an elected Senate, to allowing a referendum on electoral reform.[152]

The major political parties and some minority parties (such as UKIP) have stated they will publicly disclose information on expenses claims by UK Members of the European Parliament. The proposed disclosures vary between parties.[153]

A study of the possible influence of the voting system on MPs behaviour concluded that those MPs with the safest seats were twice as likely as those with the most marginal seats to be involved in the expenses row.[154]

[edit] Police and tax authority responses
Wikinews has related news: U.K. MPs' expenses to be investigated by police
This section requires expansion.

The UK tax authority HM Revenue and Customs ("HMRC") has identified around 40 MPs, including the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as having claimed for their tax return costs. A minority of these have affirmed they paid tax on the sums involved;[155] HMRC have confirmed they are investigating Chancellor Alistair Darling's tax claims, along with those of others involved.[155]

They have also stated they have "repeatedly caught out" MPs attempting to claim such expenses and that spot checks of 25 MPs' tax forms each year have produced examples of MPs "apparently trying to cheat the system".[155]

The Economic and Specialist Crime branch of the Metropolitan Police Service have started investigating claims made by a few MPs.[156]

[edit] Independent audit
An independent panel chaired by former civil servant Sir Thomas Legg was established following the row, with a remit to examine all claims relating to the second homes allowance between 2004 and 2008.[157] The panel published its findings on 12 October as MPs returned to Westminster following the summer recess, with each MP receiving a letter in which they were informed whether or not they would be required to repay any expenses they had claimed. Among those who had to repay expenses were Prime Minister Gordon Brown who claimed £12,415 for cleaning and gardening costs and Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg who was asked to pay back £910 from a £3,900 claim he made for gardening between 2006 and 2009.[158] Conservative leader David Cameron repaid £218 and was asked to provide more information regarding excessive claims made in 2006 when he changed his mortgage.[158] Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith apologised to the House of Commons after a separate investigation found that she had breached expenses rules over claims made on her second home.[158]

However, MPs from all main political parties expressed their anger at Legg's decision to apply the rules retrospectively, a decision which meant claims that had previously been regarded as legitimate were now considered to have breached the rules. Many senior MPs questioned Legg's authority and cast doubt on the legality of his findings.[159] It was reported that some MPs, including Tory Jonathan Djanogly would challenge the requests to repay their claims.[160] But both the Labour and Conservative leaders urged their party members to pay any overpaid expenses back. Gordon Brown said that MPs should "deal with" the retrospective rules,[161] while David Cameron warned that any member of the Conservative Party who was unwilling to comply with the rules would not be able to stand for the party at the next general election.[162]

[edit] References
^ "Other Information" (PDF). The Green Book: A Guide to Members' Allowances. Westminster: House of Commons. March 2009. pp. 59–60. ISBN 9780956202901. http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/GreenBook.pdf. Retrieved 19 May 2009. "Taxation of allowances: Expenditure for which reimbursement is claimed under the provisions of the Green Book should be wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the performance of a Member’s parliamentary duties, and therefore deductible from income for tax purposes."
^ Anil Dawar (7 May 2008). "MPs fight to block expenses revelations". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). ISSN 02613077. http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/may/07/houseofcommons. Retrieved 19 May 2009. "The House of Commons today asked the high court to block an "unlawfully intrusive" decision to force the publication of a detailed breakdown of MPs' expenses. The unprecedented legal challenge is against the Information Tribunal's ruling that a detailed breakdown of MPs' additional costs allowances (ACAs) must be provided under the Freedom of Information Act."
^ a b Corporate Officer of the House of Commons v Information Commissioner [2008] EWHC 1084 (Admin)
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^ "Risks and gains of expenses leak". BBC News. 9 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8041591.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009. "In July, we would have found out the nitty gritty of MPs' claims, but we wouldn't have been given their addresses. By obtaining the information unofficially — the Commons authorities say potentially illegally — the Telegraph has been able to check which properties politicians designate as a second home."
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^ Ian Drury (18 June 2008). "Tory couple who broke expenses rules KEEP cash". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1027407/Tory-couple-broke-expenses-rules-KEEP-cash.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ "Fury over 'stitch-up' as Jacqui Smith escapes sleaze investigation into £116,000 second home claim (11 February 2009)". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). 11 February 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1138782/Fury-stitch-Jacqui-Smith-escapes-sleaze-investigation-116-000-second-home-claim.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ James Chapman (4 May 2009). "Don't forget your toothbrush (6 April 2009)". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1167576/Dont-forget-toothbrush-Jacqui-After-porn-films-furnished-home-taxpayer.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Christopher Leake and Brendan Carlin (29 March 2009). "Blue movies expenses". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1165611/Blue-movies-expenses-Jacqui-Smiths-husband-apologises-watching-porn--paid-taxpayer.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Alex Massie (26 March 2009). "Tony McNulty, Benefit Cheat". The Spectator. http://www.spectator.co.uk/alexmassie/3476251/tony-mcnulty-benefit-cheat.thtml. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Pickles Part II the Question Time tapes". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 27 March 2009. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/iain_martin/blog/2009/03/27/pickles_part_ii_the_question_time_tapes. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
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^ a b "Q&A: MPs' expenses". BBC. 8 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7840678.stm. Retrieved 8 May 2009.
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^ "Rumours, cash demands and stolen disk of MPs' expenses data". UTV News. 8 May 2009. http://www.u.tv/News/Rumours-cash-demands-and-stolen-disk-of-MPs-expenses-data/e97b2d2c-faad-47ca-99e8-5cff6cf5aac4. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Met will not probe expenses leak". BBC News. 19 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057760.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Robert Winnett; Holly Watt (13 May 2009). "Elliot Morley claimed £16,000 for mortgage that did not exist". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5320852/Elliot-Morley-claimed-16000-for-mortgage-that-did-not-exist-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ David Barrett (17 May 2009). "How they milk the system". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5335101/MPs-expenses-how-they-milk-the-system.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Gordon Rayner (8 May 2009). "Ten ways MPs play the system to cash in on expenses and allowances". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5293498/MPs-expenses-Ten-ways-MPs-play-the-system-to-cash-in-on-expenses-and-allowances.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Gordon Rayner (8 May 2009). "Tricks of the trade". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5293513/MPs-expenses-Tricks-of-the-trade.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Personal Additional Accommodation Expenditure (PAAE)" (PDF). The Green Book: A Guide to Members' Allowances. Westminster: House of Commons. March 2009. pp. 12–19. ISBN 9780956202901. http://www.parliament.uk/documents/upload/GreenBook.pdf. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
^ Rosa Prince (4 May 2009). "Peer uses empty home to claim thousands in Parliamentary expenses". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/5268022/Peer-uses-empty-home-to-claim-thousands-in-Parliamentary-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Gordon Rayner (12 May 2009). "Ken Clarkes council tax". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5310015/MPs-expenses-Ken-Clarkes-council-tax-flip.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Martin Beckford (15 May 2009). "Tory MP Nadine Dorries admits she only spends weekends and holidays in her main home". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5330904/MPs-expenses-Tory-MP-Nadine-Dorries-admits-she-only-spends-weekends-and-holidays-in-her-main-home.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Rosa Prince; Holly Watt (9 May 2009). "Margaret Moran Second home flip paid £22,500 dry rot bill". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5298395/Margaret-Moran-Second-home-flip-paid-22500-dry-rot-bill.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Jon Swaine (16 May 2009). "Chris Bryant changed second home twice to claim £20,000". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5334791/Chris-Bryant-changed-second-home-twice-to-claim-20000--MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Alastair Jamieson (11 May 2009). "Flip given new meaning by second homes switch". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304745/MPs-expenses-Flip-given-new-meaning-by-second-homes-switch.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Ben Leach (11 April 2009). "MPs claim expenses for second home while renting out third property". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5141383/MPs-claim-expenses-for-second-home-while-renting-out-third-property.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Nick Allen (11 May 2009). "Francis Maude claimed for second London home". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304772/Francis-Maude-claimed-for-second-London-home-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Robert Winnett; Holly Watt (13 May 2009). "Elliot Morley claimed £16,000 for mortgage that did not exist". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5320852/Elliot-Morley-claimed-16000-for-mortgage-that-did-not-exist-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Robert Winnett; Holly Watt (19 June 2009). "MPs made inflated council tax claims". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5581934/MPs-expenses-MPs-made-inflated-council-tax-claims.html. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
^ Holly Watt (19 May 2009). "Dawn Butler doubles up on home charges". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5345493/MPs-expenses-Dawn-Butler-doubles-up-on-home-charges.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Rosa Prince (19 May 2009). "Patrick McLoughlin, Camerons smell tester claims £3,000 for windows". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5345310/MPs-expenses-Patrick-McLoughlin-Camerons-smell-tester-claims-3000-for-windows.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "David Maclean expense claims of MP who led fight to keep payouts secret". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 17 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5336359/David-Maclean-expense-claims-of-MP-who-led-fight-to-keep-payouts-secret.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Andrew Porter (12 May 2009). "Hazel Blears should be sacked for avoiding capital gains tax". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5310568/Hazel-Blears-should-be-sacked-for-avoiding-capital-gains-tax-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ a b "HMRC talks tough on MPs' tax returns". Contractor UK. 28 May 2009. http://www.contractoruk.com/news/004373.html. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
^ Robert Winnett (5 April 2009). "Alistair Darling claims thousands for third home". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5110227/Alistair-Darling-claims-thousands-for-third-home.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Rosa Prince (8 May 2009). "Questions over timing of Peter Mandelsons house claim". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5293035/MPs-expenses-Questions-over-timing-of-Peter-Mandelsons-house-claim.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Jon Swaine (16 May 2009). "Tam Dalyell claimed £18,000 for bookshelves two months before retiring". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5330882/Tam-Dalyell-claimed-18000-for-bookshelves-two-months-before-retiring-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Robert Syms had furniture delivered to wrong home". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 18 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5339776/Robert-Syms-had-furniture-delivered-to-wrong-home-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Jim Devine bought Michael Connartys furniture on expenses". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 19 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5348738/Jim-Devine-bought-Michael-Connartys-furniture-on-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Madeleine Moon shopped in Wales for London flat". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 18 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5340058/Madeleine-Moon-shopped-in-Wales-for-London-flat-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Questions and Answers". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 9 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5298235/MPs-expenses-Questions-and-Answers.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "MPs' expenses: Alan Haselhurst's £12,000 gardening bill". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 12 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5311797/MPs-expenses-Alan-Haselhursts-12000-gardening-bill.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ a b "Shahid Malik resigns as Justice Minister over MPs' expenses". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 15 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5329136/Shahid-Malik-resigns-as-Justice-Minister-over-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Alex Salmond claimed £800 for food on MPs expenses during recess". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 9 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5299733/Alex-Salmond-claimed-800-for-food-on-MPs-expenses-during-recess.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Liz Blackman last-minute shopping sprees on MPs expenses". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 17 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5336308/Liz-Blackman-last-minute-shopping-sprees-on-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Margaret Becketts £600 claim for hanging baskets and pot plants". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 8 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5293973/Margaret-Becketts-600-claim-for-hanging-baskets-and-pot-plants-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Porter, Andrew (10 May 2009). "Daily Telegraph – MPs' expenses: Telegraph investigation shifts to Conservatives". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5304821/MPs-expenses-Telegraph-investigation-shifts-to-Conservatives.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Winnett, Robert (11 May 2009). "Daily Telegraph: Paying bills for Tory grandees". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5310200/MPs-expenses-Paying-bills-for-Tory-grandees.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ a b "'Appalled' Cameron orders payback". BBC News. 12 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8044998.stm. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Prince, Rosa (12 May 2009). "Daily Telegraph: Telegraph discloses Liberal Democrats MPs' expenses". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5314507/Telegraph-discloses-Liberal-Democrat-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ "Sinn Féin press release". Sinn Féin. 18 December 2001. http://www.sinnfein.org/releases/01/pr011812d.html. Retrieved 11 May 2009.
^ a b Alderson, Andrew (10 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: Sinn Fein claimed £500,000 for second homes". The Sunday Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5301510/MPs-expenses-Sinn-Fein-claimed-500000-for-second-homes.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ "Phil Hope agrees to return £41,000 as MPs retreat on expenses claims". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 13 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5317104/Phil-Hope-agrees-to-return-41000-as-MPs-retreat-on-expenses-claims.html. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
^ Patrick, Aaron (15 May 2009). "Ex-Army Officer Helped Paper Get Sensitive Information". Wall Street Journal (Dow Jones & Company, Inc.). http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124241468014524689.html. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
^ a b c d Wick, John (22 May 2009). "Whistleblower John Wick: I am proud to have exposed MPs' expenses scandal". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5370852/John-Wick-I-am-proud-to-have-exposed-expenses-scandal.html. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
^ "Man behind expenses leak revealed". BBC. 22 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8064731.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
^ Stephen Brook; Audrey Gillan (18 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: how scoop came to light – and why journalists fear a 'knock on the door'". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/may/18/mps-expenses-how-scoop-came-light. Retrieved 13 June 2009.
^ a b "Parliament's darkest day: MPs suspended and Michael Martin at risk". The Times (London: Times Newspapers Ltd.): p. 1. 15 May 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6290054.ece. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
^ "Behind the story: MPs turn fire on Andrew Walker, man who approved claims". The Times (London: Times Newspapers Ltd.): p. 7. 15 May 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6289143.ece. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
^ "MPs' expenses: Scotland Yard chief and DPP 'consult on possible criminal investigation'". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 15 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5331162/MPs-expenses-Scotland-Yard-chief-and-DPP-consult-on-possible-criminal-investigation.html. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
^ "HMRC may probe MPs' expenses". Financial Director magazine. 14 May 2009. http://www.financialdirector.co.uk/accountancyage/news/2242233/hmrc-probe-mps-expenses. Retrieved 23 May 2009. apparently first published in "Accountancy Age"
^ James Kirkup; Robert Winnett (11 May 2009). "MPs could face income tax bills over expenses". Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5305193/MPs-could-face-income-tax-bills-over-expenses.html. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
^ "Calls mount for early UK election after new expense abuse revelations". Irish Times (The Irish Times Ltd.). 11 May 2009. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0511/1224246255537.html. Retrieved 23 May 2009. ""amid reports HMRC was reviewing MPs’ capital gains tax claims""
^ "MPs' expenses: pressure on Speaker Michael Martin grows". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 15 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5328380/MPs-expenses-pressure-on-Speaker-Michael-Martin-grows.html. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
^ Clodagh Hartley (16 May 2009). "Millions see Beckett heckled". The Sun (News Group Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2432534.ece. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
^ Kirsty Walker (15 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: Question Time boos for Margaret Becket as she insists, 'I won't pay it back'". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1182369/Question-Time-boos-Margaret-Becket-insists-I-wont-pay-back.html. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
^ Hinsliff, Gaby (23 May 2009). "Telegraph lawyers shut down Tory MP's blog". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/23/dorries-tory-mp-blog-taken-down. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ On 8 May 2009, the Wall Street Journal published an article stating that "His [Gordon Brown's] popularity has fallen further and faster than any prime minister since reliable polling became available nearly 80 years ago", and that his party was trailing by some 15 – 20% in opinion polls. (Bremmer, Ian (8 May 2009). "Gordon Brown's Free Fall: Britain's prime minister may be on his way out.". Wall Street Journal. pp. A11. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124174065662798791.html. Retrieved 21 May 2009. ).
^ A January 2009 article from the German newspaper Der Spiegel had described a similar view some months earlier. (Volkery, Carsten (12 January 2009). "British Prime Minister Struggles amid Economic Gloom". Der Spiegel. http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,600854,00.html. Retrieved 21 May 2009. ).
^ "Brown apology over MPs expenses". BBC News. 11 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8043447.stm. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ "All MPs must say sorry – Cameron". BBC News. 10 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8043057.stm. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ a b "Speaker angry over expenses leak". BBC News. 11 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8044411.stm. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ "Daily Telegraph: A Speaker struggling to persuade himself that there is nothing very much wrong". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 12 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5311735/MPs-expenses-A-Speaker-struggling-to-persuade-himself-that-there-is-nothing-very-much-wrong.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Department of the Official Report (Hansard), House of Commons, Westminster (11 May 2009). "Hansard – 11 May 2009". Publications.parliament.uk. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090511/debtext/90511-0004.htm. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Porter, Andrew (12 May 2009). "Daily Telegraph: Speaker Michael Martin faces 'no confidence' motion". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5311380/MPs-expenses-Members-clash-with-Speaker-Michael-Martin-over-police-inquiry.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ "Harman seeks MP 'pay back' scheme". BBC News. 12 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8046287.stm. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ a b Matthew Moore (22 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: members could face prison, says minister". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5366965/MPs-expenses-members-could-face-prison-says-minister.html. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
^ Matthew Moore (12 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: Lord Tebbit says do not vote Conservative at European elections". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5311556/MPs-expenses-Lord-Tebbit-says-do-not-vote-Conservative-at-European-elections.html. Retrieved 13 May 2009.
^ Robinson, James (13 May 2009). "Who's worse: venal journalists or snouts-in-the-trough MPs?". The Guardian – Organ Grinder Blog. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2009/may/13/mps-expenses-venal-journalists.
^ "Darling’s tax return". The Times (London: Times Newspapers Ltd.). 27 May 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/letters/article6367393.ece. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
^ "British political leaders meet over expenses crisis". Reuters. 19 May 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSLJ17606220090519?sp=true. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "Speaker faces no confidence call". BBC News. 13 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8048292.stm. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
^ Burns, John F. (19 May 2009). "In Britain, Scandal Flows From Modest Request". New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/world/europe/20britain.html?em. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
^ Lyall, Sarah (18 May 2009). "British MPs Say Speaker Has Lost Moral Authority". New York Times (The New York Times Company). http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/world/europe/19britain.html?_r=1&ref=europe. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
^ "Speaker announces he is to quit". BBC News. 19 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057203.stm. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
^ "Speaker's Statement". Hansard. House of Commons. 19 May 2009. http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmhansrd/cm090518/debtext/90518-0003.htm#0905186000002. Retrieved 19 May 2009. "[P]lease allow me to say to the men and women of the United Kingdom that we have let you down very badly indeed. We must all accept blame and, to the extent that I have contributed to the situation, I am profoundly sorry. Now, each and every Member, including myself, must work hard to regain your trust."
^ "Speaker quits 'for sake of unity'". BBC News. 19 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057203.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ Sparrow, Andrew (9 June 2009). "Shahid Malik rejoins government after being cleared in inquiry". Guardian.co.uk (Guardian). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/09/shahid-malik-expenses-reshuffle. Retrieved 23 September 2009.
^ Kirkup, James (2 June 2009). "Jacqui Smith to 'resign' as Home Secretary". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5428871/Jacqui-Smith-to-resign-as-Home-Secretary.html. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
^ "Hazel Blears Resigns From Cabinet". Sky News. 3 June 2009. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Hazel-Blears-Communities-Secretary-Resigns-From-Cabinet/Article/200906115294595?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15294595_Hazel_Blears%2C_Communities_Secretary%2C_Resigns_From_Cabinet. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
^ "Tony McNulty resigns following expenses shame". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 5 June 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/5454342/Tony-McNulty-resigns-following-expenses-shame.html. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
^ "Geoff Hoon sets sights on role of European Commissioner after quitting the Cabinet". Dailymail.co.uk (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). 5 June 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1191133/Geoff-Hoon-sights-set-role-European-Commissioner-quitting-Cabinet.html. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
^ "MPs' expenses: Kitty Ussher's main home was in constituency for one month to save tax". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 18 June 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5563291/Kitty-Usshers-main-home-was-in-constituency-for-one-month-to-save-tax-MPs-expenses.html. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
^ "Brown orders 'star chamber' cull of Labour MPs as he bans cheats from standing at election". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). 19 May 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1184490/Elliot-Morley-David-Chaytor-face-star-chamber-Brown-moves-cull-expenses-cheats.html?ITO=1490. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
^ Neil Durkin (29 May 2009). "Nobody expects the Elizabethan Star Chamber". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/neil_durkin/blog/2009/05/29/nobody_expects_the_elizabethan_star_chamber. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
^ "Mortgage claim MP will stand down". BBC News. 21 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8062408.stm. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
^ "Labour MP Ian McCartney to stand down". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 23 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5373428/Labour-MP-Ian-McCartney-to-stand-down.html. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
^ "Eliot Morley to stand down as MP". BBC News. 29 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8073923.stm. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
^ a b c d e "Gibson barred from standing again". BBC News. 2 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8080154.stm. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
^ "Labour MP Chaytor to stand down". BBC News. 2 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8078558.stm. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
^ "MP quitting to force by-election". BBC News. 5 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8085910.stm. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
^ "Labour's Jim Devine 'hung out to dry'". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 17 June 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/labour-mps-expenses/5557143/MPs-expenses-Labours-Jim-Devine-hung-out-to-dry.html. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
^ "Claims row MP Moran to stand down". BBC News. 28 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8071441.stm. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
^ "Labour MP Harry Cohen quits after MPs' expenses scandal". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 1 July 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5699352/Labour-MP-Harry-Cohen-quits-after-MPs-expenses-scandal.html. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
^ Patrick Hennessy (24 May 2009). "MPs' expenses: Andrew MacKay to stand down at next general election". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/conservative-mps-expenses/5374398/MPs-expenses-Andrew-MacKay-to-stand-down-at-next-general-election.html. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
^ "MPs Kirkbride and Moran to quit". BBC News. 28 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8070742.stm. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
^ "Moat claim MP to quit at election". BBC News. 19 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8057579.stm. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
^ "Expenses row MP is standing down". BBC News. 20 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8060423.stm. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
^ "MP made claim for 'non-mortgage'". BBC News. 20 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8060563.stm. Retrieved 20 May 2009. "Another Tory MP, Sir Peter Viggers, will step down at the next election after claiming £20,000 on gardening....[The Daily Telegraph] also said that Sir Peter, MP for Gosport, claimed £1,645 for a duck island."
^ "MP pair to step down at election". BBC News. 25 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8067223.stm. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "MP Fraser poised to leave Commons". BBC News. 28 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8072666.stm. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
^ Gordon Rayner (17 June 2009). "Ian Taylor MP stands down after row over his expenses claims". Telegraph.co.uk (Telegraph Media Group Limited). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5553979/Ian-Taylor-MP-stands-down-after-row-over-his-expenses-claims.html. Retrieved 17 June 2009.
^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6544196.ece
^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6256627.ece
^ "Fringe parties gain ground in scandal-hit Britain". Reuters. 18 May 2009. http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSLI27559520090518?sp=true. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "MPs' expenses: Jury Team founded as anti-sleaze group". The Daily Telegraph. 21 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5359978/MPs-expenses-Jury-Team-founded-as-anti-sleaze-group.html. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
^ "Poll piles on pressure for election". Press Association. 22 May 2009. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iFm1XpFt5B4Ay6TR88pOVxCKUQnA. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
^ Fiona Hamilton (13 May 2009). "Fringe parties look to exploit expenses furore or European polls". The Times (London: Times Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6276522.ece. Retrieved 22 May 2009.
^ "MP fears of expense's 'suicide'". BBC News. 22 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8063005.stm. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ Mulholland, Hélène (22 May 2009). "Cameron rebukes Tory MP over 'McCarthyite witch-hunt' comment". The Guardian (The Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/22/mps-expenses-conservatives. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "Cameron Slams MP For Witch-Hunt Claim". Sky News. 22 May 2009. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/MPs-Expenses-Tory-MP-Peter-Luff-Says-China-Too-Big-To-Fit-Into-Cupboard/Article/200905315286519?lpos=Politics_News_Your_Way_Region_8&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15286519_MPs_Expenses%3A_Tory_MP_Peter_Luff_Says_China_Too_Big_To_Fit_Into_Cupboard. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "Stop MP humiliation — archbishop". BBC News. 23 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8064828.stm. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ Matthew Parris (23 May 2009). "Kick them — but don't kick all the stuffing out". The Times (London: Times Newspapers Ltd.): p. 4. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article6345582.ece. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ David Ottewell (11 June 2009). "Blears: My regrets". Manchester Evening News (M.E.N. Media). http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1120375_blears_my_regrets. Retrieved 14 June 2009.
^ . BBC News. 25 May 2009. Johnson urging electoral reform. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ "A new politics: We need a massive, radical redistribution of power". Guardian.co.uk (Guardian News and Media Limited). 25 May 2009. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/25/david-cameron-a-new-politics. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ Nicholas Watt; Allegra Stratton; Robert Tait (27 May 2009). "No holidays for MPs till we fix politics — Nick Clegg". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/27/politicians-constitutional-reform-nick-clegg. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
^ Nick Clegg (27 May 2009). "Nick Clegg: Bar the gates. No summer holiday before the overhaul". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/27/nick-clegg-a-new-politics. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
^ "MPs Expenses: Labour MEPs to publish office allowance receipts". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group Limited). 25 May 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/5382566/MPs-Expenses-Labour-MEPs-to-publish-office-allowance-receipts.html. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
^ Mark Thompson (29 May 2009). "Are the safest MPs the most dodgy?"]. Guardian.co.uk (Guardian News and Media Limited). http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2009/may/29/mps-expenses-houseofcommons. Retrieved 29 May 2009.
^ a b c Tim Shipman; Ian Drury (28 May 2009). "Alistair Darling and 40 other MPs investigated by taxman over expenses claim on accountancy fees". Daily Mail (Associated Newspapers Ltd.). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1188552/Alistair-Darling-40-MPs-investigated-taxman-expenses-claim-accountancy-fees.html. Retrieved 1 June 2009. "The tax office has confirmed it is investigating Chancellor Alistair Darling's tax claims, along with those of other ministers"
^ "MPs 'over-claimed' on council tax". BBC News. 20 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8110516.stm. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
^ "Q&A: MP expenses row explained". BBC News. 13 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8301443.stm. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
^ a b c "Brown to repay £12,415 expenses". BBC News. 12 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8303312.stm. Retrieved 12 October 2009.
^ "Furious MPs fight back in row over Sir Thomas Legg's expenses review". Times Online (London: Times Newspapers Ltd). 13 October 2009. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6872777.ece. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
^ "MPs' anger over expenses payback". BBC News. 13 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8305327.stm. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
^ "Brown urges angry MPs to pay up". BBC News. 13 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8304001.stm. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
^ "Pay up or quit, Cameron warns MPs". BBC News. 13 October 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8304125.stm. Retrieved 13 October 2009.
[edit] External links
"Q&A: MP expenses row explained". BBC News. 21 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7840678.stm. Retrieved 23 May 2009. – BBC summary of the controversy
"MPs' expenses in detail". BBC News. 10 June 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8039273.stm. Retrieved 11 June 2009. – BBC summary of each MP's expenses claims
Complete list of MP's expenses from 2004-05 to 2007-08
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom_Parliamentary_expenses_scandal"
Categories: 2009 controversies | Freedom of information legislation | Parliament of the United Kingdom | Political scandals in the United Kingdom | 2009 in British politics
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