Former Bearsden MP demands apology in expenses row
FORMER MP John Lyons has demanded an apology following the revelation that he claimed almost £19,000 in mortgage interest payments — insisting 'I don't owe a penny'.
Following the publication last week of Sir Thomas Legg's long awaited report into MPs' expenses, Mr Lyons came out fighting saying the inquiry had used a wrong address to contact him.
The former Strathkelvin and Bearsden MP, who lost his seat at the 2005 General Election, said it was "unforgivable" that Sir Thomas' report had wrongly accused him of ignoring requests to provide further information on his claims.
In e-mail correspondence this week sent to The Herald, the former MP said the inquiry team has now "admitted that all correspondence had been sent to a wrong address, one he had moved from over six years ago."
Mr Lyons (60) said: "This is a 1m inquiry and I think it is unforgivable that they have not checked my address. My correct home address is easily available at the House of Commons.
"Every month I receive a Pension Payment Statement. Additionally, I have received correspondence from Sir Christopher Kelly and other publications from the House Authorities over a period of three to four years."
What has infuriated Mr Lyons is the implication that he has been portrayed in the Legg report as someone who has not co-operated with the inquiry and is adamant he has never received any letters at his Bishopbriggs home concerning this matter.
In the original report published last week Sir Thomas Legg said: "No reply has been received from Mr Lyons to a number of letters sent to the address held by the House authorities. In default of evidence to support payments for mortgage interest of 18,780.80 for 2004-05 and April 2005, I must regard these payments as having been invalid. Accordingly my recommendation is that Mr Lyons should repay the whole of this sum."
Hitting back, Mr Lyons said: "I want an apology. I do not owe them a penny. They are saying that because I failed to respond to them with proof that I paid the mortgage interest on what was a modest flat in the East End of London, then I should pay it back."
He added: "They had no problem with me claiming this money from 2001 to 2004, so why is there a problem in 2004-5?"
Mr Lyons was set to meet with the Legg Inquiry Team as we went to press on Wednesday to resolve the matter which he insists could have been done months ago had he been properly informed.
East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson received a clean bill of health in the MPs' second home expenses.
She said: "I welcome the publication of Sir Thomas Legg's report and I am pleased that he has found that my expenses are all in order, however, the important thing now is to press on and reform the expenses system.
"The abuses of MPs' expenses were uncovered nine whole months ago. Instead of having review after review, the House of Commons must take action now to clean up the system."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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