Expenses scandal
After the fiddles come the freebies
For every visit by Members of Parliament to Israel or Iraq, there are lots of all-expenses-paid junkets to such exotic locations as the Maldives and the Cayman Islands. Jane Merrick, Nina Lakhani and Emily Dugan report
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Independent Minds
A new front opened up in the Westminster expenses scandal last night after it emerged that MPs are travelling around the world on hundreds of trips a year paid for by the taxpayer and foreign governments.
Research by The Independent on Sunday has uncovered details of nearly 200 fact-finding missions and study tours to more than 60 countries in the past two years – equivalent to two trips for every week of the year.
The visits, many of which are paid for by public funds, are over and above the overseas work of select committees, which already takes MPs around the globe. Those not funded by the taxpayer are offered as "freebies" by foreign governments, whose guests often fly business class and stay in luxury hotels.
Some of the tours clearly have serious aims, including MPs paying visits to Israel and Palestine and Iraq to learn about the conflicts in those countries. But others appear to be more questionable, including junkets organised by the hundreds of all-party parliamentary groups created for the sole intention of forging links with different countries – including destinations such as the Cayman Islands and the Maldives.
There are 140 all-party country groups in Parliament, allowing their members to organise visits to to "forge links" with governments. The all-party Maldives group, for example, says its purpose is to "work as a forum for those parliamentarians who wish to better understand the Maldives".
While none of the MPs has broken any rules, the perception that hundreds of them are accepting free junkets risks further damage to the electorate's trust in Parliament. Where host nations are spending the money, often it is during parliamentary term time, effectively on taxpayers' time.
Visits by all-party groups, which are not funded by the taxpayer but rely on sponsorship and funding by the governments of the nations they visit, have to be declared in the MPs' register of interests. But there are a number of organisations MPs use to travel abroad which are paid for out of public money and do not have to be recorded in the register. They include the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and cost the taxpayer £3.3m a year. Both are decades old and are used to forge links with politicians from around the world with exchange trips.
Yet reports written by IPU members give a hint of the comfortable lifestyle some of our MPs are enjoying at taxpayers' expense, including:
t Sir John Butterfill, the Tory grandee who claimed for "servants quarters" on the taxpayer, led an IPU delegation of MPs and peers to Iceland last year, which included bathing in the volcanic springs of the Blue Lagoon.
t Margaret Moran, the Labour MP who is standing down after claiming £22,500 for dry rot at her fiancé's house, led a delegation to Thailand which included a lavish reception hosted by the British ambassador.
Sir Peter Viggers, the Tory MP who is standing down after trying to claim on expenses £1,645 for a duck house, has been on four trips in two years, including a taxpayer-funded IPU visit to Saudi Arabia. A report of the trip boasts of how the MPs were treated to a "number of lunches, dinners and receptions" by their hosts.
Hundreds of MPs are members of the all-party country groups, which are separate from, but sometimes funded by, the IPU. While their members have not necessarily visited those countries yet, the groups effectively provide an open door to a free visit.
Many of the country groups have laudable aims, such as many in Africa and other developing countries.
The register of all-party groups shows Labour MP John Austin is a member of 52 groups, followed by Tory MP Nigel Evans on 44. Julie Kirkbride, who is standing down as Tory MP for Bromsgrove at the next election after public fury about her expenses, is a member of 26, the fifth highest of all MPs.
Hugo Swire, a former Tory frontbencher and chairman of the Conservative Middle East Council, was among several Tory MPs visiting Dubai last year. The register shows he did not declare the visit, but Mr Swire said he had declared everything with the Electoral Commission, and usually recorded trips in the register. "I would be very surprised if it has been missed off," he added. "The Conservative Middle East Council tries to expose what is going on in the Middle East. Not a penny piece of taxpayers' money is spent on our trips."
Three MPs have gone on six parliamentary trips in the past two years, according to the register of interests: Mr Evans, MP for Ribble Valley, Andrew Rosindell, Tory MP for Romford, and Jim Sheridan, the Labour MP for Paisley and Renfewshire.
Roger Berry, Labour MP for Kingswood, said: "The job of the IPU internationally is to promote good relations between parliamentarians which is a good way to promote democracy, peace and security between countries. As with inward trips, we meet parliamentarians, ministers, NGOs and others to listen and learn."
Lindsay Hoyle, Labour MP for Chorley, said of his July 2008 trip to the Cayman Islands: "It was in recess and it didn't cost the taxpayer anything. It was paid for by the Cayman Islands, who had invited us to talk on democracy and the environment."
Independent and former Conservative MP Bob Spink said of the trip to Thailand in 2006 led by Ms Moran: "I spent a lot of time on that trip urging Thailand to take firm action with the Burmese military junta relating to Aung San Suu Kyi. I'm not sure if taxpayers would consider this value for money but I think British MPs have a duty to fight for justice and freedom."
Alun Michael, defending his role in a trip to Brazil for the Internet Governance Forum in 2007, said: "Have you ever been to Brazil in November? It's like Cardiff on a wet November day."
Labour MP Howard Stoate, defending a visit to India in February 2008, said: "This trip was really important for forging long-term economic links with one of our main trading partners, which I think will benefit Britain in the future. While I don't advocate such trips if they are a regular occurrence, they can be extremely useful."
Alan Duncan, Conservative MP for Rutland and Melton, said: "Many Arab countries are taking very important steps towards more democratic structures. They wish to learn from us and we often have a lot to learn from them."
Additional reporting by Emmeline Saunders
MPs' travels around the world
Bahrain 6-11 September 2007
David Ruffley (C), Nigel Evans (C), Michael Fallon (C). For meeting on Iraq and the situation in the Gulf. Flights and accommodation paid for by the government of Bahrain.
Brazil Two trips, including: 11-15 November 2007
Alun Michael and Margaret Moran (both L) to attend the Internet Governance Forum, representing All-Party Groups including Pitcom (Parliamentary Information Technology Committee) and Eurim (European Information Society Group). Travel and hotel costs funded by Eurim with the support of Nominet.
Cayman Islands 23-28 July 2008
Nigel Evans (C), Lindsay Hoyle (L) and Michael Fallon (C), as part of All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Cayman Islands. Cayman Islands government paid for flights and hotel. Mrs Fallon was on the trip but paid for her flight.
China Eight visits, including: 6-16 September 2007
Ben Chapman (L), Mark Simmonds (C), Ian Stewart (L), David Lidington (C), Michael Mates (C), Madeleine Moon (L), James Paice (C), Jeff Ennis (L). The All-Party Parliamentary China Group, to discuss bilateral relations. All internal travel and some food costs in China were met by the National People's Congress. Flights from London to Beijing and accommodation costs were met from the funds provided by the registered sponsors of the All-Party Group.
Cuba 9-14 November 2008
Ian Taylor (C) in capacity as co-chair of the Cuba Initiative organisation, which works to strengthen UK-Cuban trade relations. Flights and accommodation provided by the Caribbean Foundation, a charity, through the Cuba Initiative. Local hospitality provided by the Cuban government.
Egypt Three trips, including: 31 March-6 April 2006
Sir Peter Viggers (C), with UK-Egypt All-Party Parliamentary Group, to further political relations between the UK and Egypt. He was accompanied by his wife and the visit was made at the invitation and expense of the Egyptian government.
Finland 4-8 May 2009
Sir Alan Beith (LD), Sir Patrick Cormack (C), Ann Winterton (C). British-Finnish All-Party Parliamentary Group, to meet Finnish MPs for discussions on issues affecting both countries and the Finnish prison service relating to the training of prison officers. Accommodation, hospitality and local travel within Finland were provided by the Finnish parliament. Travel to Finland was funded under the House of Commons European Travel scheme, paid for by the taxpayer.
Ghana 7-12 February 2008
Stephen Hepburn (L), Jim Sheridan (L), Anthony Wright (Great Yarmouth, L), Russell Brown (L), John Leech (LD). To play a football match against the Ghanaian parliament at its invitation to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence, to visit an SOS Villages project and a refugee camp at the invitation of Play Ghana, and to attend the African Nations Cup final, with accommodation, food and local transport provided by the parliament of Ghana and a contribution towards the air fare provide by our club sponsors National Grid, which also helped to provide a charitable donation to SOS Villages.
Iceland
19-22 May 2008
Sir John Butterfill (C), David Wilshire (C) and three peers. Sir John led a delegation of the taxpayer-funded IPU to Reykjavik. A report includes details of 'excellent lunch', a sight-seeing tour of Reykjavik, and a trip to the Blue Lagoon 'for bathing in the hot springs'.
India Six trips, including: 10-17 February 2008
Stephen Pound, Howard Stoate, Stephen Ladyman (all L), to Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi, to meet state and national ministers, industrialists, academics, representatives of business organisations and a visit to a DfID-funded project. All transport, accommodation and meals provided by Indian government.
Japan Three trips, including: 27 June-1 July 2008
Graham Stuart (C), Eric Joyce (L) and Stephen Byers (L), to attend the Globe (Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment) Tokyo G8+5 Legislators Forum. Business-class return travel, five nights' accommodation and all meals were provided by Globe International.
Kenya Three trips, including: 13-21 February 2009
Claire Ward (L) as speaker at the Sigma Independent Retail Pharmacists Conference, accompanied by husband. Flights, travel, accommodation and hospitality were provided by Sigma Pharmaceuticals (Watford), which received sponsorship for the conference from a large number of generic drug and retail pharmacist companies.
Maldives Two trips, including: 24 August-2 September 2008
Brian Binley (C) to meet parliamentarians and advise on good practice in election procedures, as a member of the All-Party British-Maldives Parliamentary Group. Flights and hotel paid for by the Maldives government.
Monaco 18-19 May 2009
Nigel Waterson (C) to address retirement planning summit. Money Marketing paid for costs.
Montenegro 15-18 February 2009
Roger Berry (L), David Chaytor (L), Nigel Evans (C), Stephen Hepburn (L) and one peer, a delegation of the taxpayer-funded IPU. A report of the trip states: 'The delegation's first duty was to visit the world-famous Plantaze winery. We could not have received a better welcome!'
Nigeria Four trips, including: 30 November-6 December 2008
Michael Connarty, Stephen Hepburn, John Robertson, Anthony Wright (all L). All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria on a fact-finding visit. Costs met by Virgin Nigeria Airways and Shell.
Norway Five trips, including: 26-28 August 2008
Anne Begg and Dari Taylor (both L) to Stavanger to visit Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) conference and exhibition on joint visit by the British Offshore Oil and Gas Industry All-Party Parliamentary Group at Westminster and the Oil and Gas Cross Party Group at Holyrood. Overseas flights, hotel accommodation, local transport and hospitality sponsored by Oil & Gas UK, Shell, Chevron, Statoil Hydro, Wood Group, Conoco Phillips, Exxon Mobil, the Norwegian embassy and OLF.
Oman Three trips, including: 30 October-3 November 2008
Alan Duncan and Keith Simpson (both C), cross-party group, as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Oman. Travel paid for by the State Council of the Sultanate of Oman.
Qatar Two trips, including: 14-16 April 2008
Derek Wyatt (L) and David Lidington (C) to attend the eighth Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade. Travel and hotel paid for by the government of Qatar.
Romania 31 August-5 September 2008
Jim Dobbin and Eric Martlew (both L) with the All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group, to look at rail freight systems sponsored by the Rail Freight Group.
Saudi Arabia Two trips, including: 17-20 April 2006
Ian Davidson (L), Sir Peter Viggers (C), Huw Irranca-Davies (L), Graham Brady (C) and two peers, delegation of the IPU to meet the President and ministers. Included a 'number of lunches, dinners and receptions'.
Sweden Four trips, including: 10-12 August 2008
Ashok Kumar, Jamie Reed, John Robertson, Jim Sheridan (all L) and Bob Spink (Ind C) to Oskarshamn, to visit nuclear power and nuclear waste research and storage facilities with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy. The costs of the trip were met by E.ON.
Taiwan Five trips, including: 28 September-5 October 2007
Andrew Stunell (LD), Jim Dowd (L), Gordon Prentice (L), with a group of parliamentarians from the All-Party British-Taiwanese Group and All-Party Parliamentary Rail Group, as guests of the Taiwanese government.
Thailand 12-16 February 2006
Margaret Moran (L), Robert Goodwill (C), David Borrow (L), Bob Spink (Ind C), as part of a taxpayer-funded IPU trip. Including a visit to the River Kwai bridge and death railway and a reception hosted by the British ambassador.
Turkey Four trips, including: 18-22 March 2007
Stephen Hepburn, Lindsay Hoyle and Bob Laxton (all L) with the All-Party British-Turkish Parliamentary Group. Flights, accommodation and in-country costs were met by the Turkish government.
United Arab Emirates Two trips, including: 14-19 November 2008
Philip Dunne, Adam Holloway, Julie Kirkbride, Andrew Mackay and Hugo Swire (all C) to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, described as an 'all-party' delegation to meet government representatives, as guest of the government of the UAE, although no other parties seemed to have gone. The costs of flights and accommodation were met by the government of the UAE.
USA 17 visits, including: 24-31 August 2007
Stephen Ladyman (L), John Robertson (L), Robert Walter (C), Michael Connarty (L) and Nigel Evans (C) to Atlanta and Pittsburgh to visit some nuclear power facilities with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy. The costs of the trip were met by Westinghouse Electric Company.
And... 4-7 May 2008
John Robertson (L) as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nigeria, to Washington to consult with US policy and law-makers on Nigeria. Flights, accommodation and other costs were met by Chatham House, a non-governmental organisation.
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Comments
Following in the footsteps of tech, biotech and the Internet, genomics is shaping up to be the next investing boom.
The argument can be made that the surge of biotech development in the 1980s and 1990s was a result of increased government funding for programs like the National Institutes of Health, which bridged the gap between the academically possible and the commercially profitable.
From 1983 to 1993, the budget of the NIH increased 158%, rising from $4 billion to $10 billion. From 1993 to 2003, that budget increased another 163% to $27 billion. In addition to opening its purse strings, Congress also passed a series of laws that fostered the ability to profit from biotech discoveries.
In particular, the Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 permitted universities and small businesses to patent discoveries that evolved from NIH-funded research. Indeed, I think the biotech boom was a direct consequence of rising National Health Institute funding, cheap equity capital, and the ability to patent NIH-funded discoveries.
I agree many things from bellbottom to the new no bottom is in fashion but the zero figures, we never had.
We have now the craze of anti wrinkle and no age. Husbands are paying a lot for these. The figures any more then 21, 21, 21, only bones, no meat. You do not get married. You turn Lesbian
I thank you.
Firozali A.Mulla.
Fantastic - this really is top-notch stuff!
I thnk you sir/madam, very much it is my plesure to make all smile
Less than two years ago, Claudia Schiffer declared that the age of the supermodel was over. Magazine covers and beauty contracts had become the province of celebrities. The industry's newest generation had not quite attained the international, first-name basis fame that Naomi, Cindy, and Christy had pioneered.
A lot has changed in two years. While fashion magazines and retail brands still market their wares with stars from music and movies, models have moved off the runway in equal measure, expanding their brands into fashion, entertainment, and philanthropy. The age of the multi- hyphenate model has replaced the age of the supermodel, giving the top girls more earning power than ever before.
The fire is fine; the engines are good the smoke gives cancer and we have no cure for these. We can go to Iraq for oil but how do we get the smoke out from the chimneys?
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla
Toolan
Toolan
You are very kind,
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla
I thank you too!
Believe me I love you all I am pleased that I make you happy. I love this. I truly am yours very friendly Firoz A Mulla
Does the Hon. Alun Michael know what he's talking about? Either he hasn't been to Brazil in November, or he hasn't been to Cardiff in the same season. I can assure him, having lived here in Brazil for over ten years, that Brazil is at the beggining of her summer, with an average temperature of around 30/35 degrees C.
Alan Harris
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil
obviously well qualified to be an MP - thick and scrounging
get when we go to Vote, Vote for me, I am honest.
Alan Harris
Rio de Janeiro ? Brazil
Alan, I do not want to talk of the weather please. It is global warming now and what is more the politicians will talk. Here you are begging for the weather and sunshine. The PM who is trying to outsmart Brown is saying, ?I want beggars from the public." This is insane, as I have played banjo under the tube and over the tube, not a crumb I have received from the Number 10 Downing Street. Not just that I just received a letter from the Tax Dept asking me if I had received donation from any one named from a list from 134. You will not believe this. I did not. I have just completed the form sitting with my lawyer and posted today, Sunday, May 31, 2009 hoping that it gets lost in the post. A lot has changed in two years. While fashion magazines and retail brands still market their wares with stars from music and movies, models have moved off the runway in equal measure, expanding their brands into fashion, entertainment, and philanthropy. The age of the multi- hyphenate model has replaced the age of the supermodel, giving the top girls more earning power than ever before.
Brazil is at the beggining of her summer, with an average temperature of around 30/35 degrees C.
Otherwise, how are you?
Fiddle is the musical instrument I have, play. However, what are the free babies? Where do I get these? You mean I buy one I get four free. That is for the privileged politicians Like Lula, Chavez, Tony, David, the Goliath, Brown, the Ten Commentaries.
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla
...how about it? Has anyone asked for this information of their local government under the FOI?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/commen
or are there more sinister forces playing out here who are not democratic or wish for a free society despite all its inhertent faults ?
Are you just a vocal minority who claim to represent the people but really want to suppress them ?
We need to know :-)
Is the Independent so in the dark that it never knew this was going on?
If the Inland Revenue can spot a 20 pound deficit in my personal tax payment, surely they can stop this sort of thing ?
There is one place for the recipients of the proceeds of such fiddles and that is prison.
Let these arrogant people know that as a pensioner whose annual income is around two days of Mr Gerrard's time, if I include council tax, my tax rate is around 35%.
It has been said of many groups, if you don't like what happens in this country then go away....but with the proviso that you don't come back. No more posturing in a rather ordinary England team...no more the 20k rise per week just because you score a goal or two.
There is more to creating just society than hounding the politicians. Its a good start for sure, but let's not stop there.
NO I stopped the circumcisions cutting the small tails as all are afraid of HIV Ni idea what aid( Pakistan receives this from USA) is or what this stands for but they ask me, Is your scissor sterilized, I tell them no They are baptized. They no trust me I am now looking for blades, Any used there thrown in the bins? Mr Bin would know. Let me have 2344987 dozens I love blades. We have many monkeys here too.
I am tired of typing I want election now
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla
I thank you
All of these MPs should be kicked out of Parliament.
Collin! Some net-etiquette, please!
Some people, like me, browse the news in work...if you're going to post links to hateful BNP videos on youtube you could AT LEAST put a note with the link that says something like:
"WARNING! If you open this in work one of your colleagues may see it, and tell everybody that you are a hateful Nazi scumbag!"
I mean, really, show a little consideration for those of us that don't want to be thought of as ignorant racist trash, please...
Then what else have they've been doing comes to question.
What other kind of back room deals have they made and profited from?
Anything that involves the transaction of money should be investigated because it's quite easy to see a public succeeded in only electing liars cheaters and swindlers.
So what other back room secret deals have been made?
I believe we're only hitting the petty cash who knows what else they've been up to.
The troubles is, there hasn't been any.
Still so many countries, lining up to kick the hell out of each other.
No satisfaction in a job well done, well I couldn't live like that.
Still, happy days.
Believe me I love you all I am pleased that I make you happy. I love this. I truly am yours very friendly Firoz A Mulla
ccd001 wrote:
Are you the one who sent me pirated CD with Zero 001 sector nude? Boy my mom was thrilled She has become fan of your. She is crazy. As soon as the A/C goes off, she switches the fan (You here) on. What a pong we get. I love this Gucci has tried to buy you off. No way I tell them I have no address of your so I have snail mailed to ED.
I expect all these were declared to the Inland Revenue as benefits in kind. They have not All politicians are immune to the Inland Revenue as they stay out of land in the night. Like the crocks.
Worry not. Point .22 is good for many if they steal; steal, steal, and then the rope get tight. They breathe no more. I have my doubt about the election in July or September. Many times, I predict. Allah saves me.
Nevertheless, Brown is now 20 only. Polls or North and south poles.
Punish the Westminster pigs on June the 4th. No, no.no.no, we have few vaccines. Please no. The swine flue is very catching and these are thieves. Police will do the catching. Make it September 11. . 9/11. I like the number. My in-laws and outlaws are born on these dates and Feb. 29 and some crazy on 39 Feb.
collin_brown wrote:
My motto."Falklands Factor" popularity boost at the end of it all. Maggie time was good; this is lousy time to go that far. We are short of cash and politicians, the guns stock is low. Let us be committed to the new waves of idea and try to live bread with water if we can. Contentment is better then complains.
The 69-year-old pop music icon
I want my salary.
Firozali A.Mulla
I thank you very muuk much, mich, oh i give up I am looking for Virgin ..... Cola
Transport
Virgin Atlantic: The airline has reported a sharp rise in profits in the year to the end of February to £68.4 million, nearly double the £34.8 million seen in the previous year. It said that results had been helped by a rise in premium economy passengers.
Utilities
Econcern: A court has approved procedures to protect the green energy company ? said to be the biggest of its kind in the Netherlands ? from bankruptcy, it said. The new status granted by the court will temporarily shield Econcern from creditors while it tries to find alternative ways of repaying them. Econcern ? created in 1984 to develop projects in wind, solar and bio-energy ? employs about 1,200 people in 19 countries.
I thank you
Firozali A.Mulla
They are the only organisation that agreed to pay increase plus holidays, this must stop now, and the public to control salaries and holidays, to ensure we get value for our money
He was a member of the All Party Group that visited China on one occasion, a paid a visit to Vegas in order to attend and participate in a conferences on cyber security, citizen surveillance and privacy. He also went on a couple of other freebies with the All Party Taxation Group touring both the U.S and Canada and of course the tour of a nuclear power station, all expenses paid.
He is a rabid critic of anything green or sustainable and has sought assurances from Parliament that various schemes will not only be refused planning permission in his constituency but also dismissed out of hand.
We are in the process of having a third nuclear power station being granted planning permission here, the tender is EDF, who are rumoured to be brokering a deal with E.RON and our delightful MP wishes to launch an academy of excellence for the training its students in the disposal of nuclear waste.He was mentioned recently in the London Evening Standard as one of Cameron's not so green MP's.
He is a Conservative backbencher but is the 34th most expensive MP. He was mentioned by The Telegraph during the claims scandal for having put in precisely 250 pounds a month, every month for food claims. He was also mentioned in the family members expense claims scam.
He, I think, should be under far greater scrutiny.