Member of Parliament: Robert Walter MP
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UPDATE: Expenses Bob has set up a website with information on the expenses he has claimed as MP for North Dorset. Please go to www.bobwaltermp.wordpress.com to find out more.
STATEMENT BY ROBERT WALTER MP
Statement issued by Robert Walter MP (North Dorset) in response to an article published in the Sunday Telegraph on Sunday 31st May 2009
Many of you will have seen the Sunday Telegraph and their mischievous and misleading treatment of my expenses. It might be helpful if you had my responses that I gave yesterday to the Telegraph, which they have either ignored or misrepresented.
When I was elected to the House of Commons in 1997 I was recently widowed and my principal home was a farm in Devon. I designated London as my "second" home. I remarried in September 2000 and in 2002 having sold my farm in Devon my wife and I decided to establish our principal home in London and I designated my constituency home as my second home. In the year in which I claimed removal expenses I made no claim for council tax, utility bills or any other maintenance charges and was only able to claim for part of my mortgage interest.
In the period under review I have not “flipped” my second home designation nor have I claimed for food or laundry. I did mistakenly ask for reimbursement for some garden plants, but I was perfectly content when told these were not permitted. Sadly my marriage was dissolved in 2005, but my principal home is still in London. The total claims I have made in the last four years are well below the maximum permitted and in the latest rankings of MPs expenses I come 500th out 646 MPs.
The two rugs mentioned in the article are quite modest and were purchased whilst on a visit to India which was not funded by the taxpayer. They are on the floor of my home in Dorset and I had no problem with the "John Lewis list" valuation put on them by the Fees Office. Until that date I had no knowledge of the John Lewis list. They are not luxurious, they represent extremely good value for money and they do cover a rather grubby and threadbare carpet!
The items highlighted showing grocery bills for yoghurts, etc, are shown in the IEP (Office costs) section and relate to claims for “out of pocket” expenses claimed by unpaid post graduate interns who work on my staff for periods of up to six months. THESE ARE NOT SUMS OF MONEY PAID TO ME.
I am, I believe one of the most active members of Parliament, both in my constituency and on Parliamentary business. I represent the United Kingdom at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Security and Defence Assembly, appointments made by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the Conservative Chief Whip. I also serve on the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
I am this year President of the European Security and Defence Assembly, which is a great honour and advantage to United Kingdom interests. I also serve as Senior Vice President of the Council of Europe's Economic Affairs Committee and Chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly, a body which was key to the Northern Ireland peace process.
My attendance at these bodies and their committees means that my voting record is similar to that of many ministers. As I very often work a seven day week, I believe I deliver extremely good value to the taxpayer and in 12 years as MP for North Dorset no constituent has ever complained about my diligence and hard work on constituency matters.
After I published all my receipts on the internet 10 days ago, and I was one of the first MPs to do this, the Bournemouth Daily Echo ran a couple of pieces highlighting similar points to those made in the Sunday Telegraph. Only one constituent has responded to these articles and I believe I have answered his point.
I have long called for much greater transparency in the system and for an external auditing process. It is not acceptable that we police our own expenses. The current system is a shambles and has been for some time.
I have below average expenses for a Member of Parliament, and the majority of my expenses go towards paying the four members of staff who work for me in Westminster and Blandford in order to deliver the best possible service to the people of North Dorset. I use the office cost allowance to pay for surgeries, stationery, office equipment and office running costs, supplies and office furniture.
David Cameron has taken decisive action on this matter to try to redress the damage done to our political process and I support these changes. Party leaders have put before the House a series of interim reforms, which will remain in place until Sir Christopher Kelly and his independent committee make their recommendations.
In the meantime there will be:
- An immediate ban on MPs claiming furniture, other household goods and daily subsistence allowance.
- As soon as practicably possible, every expense claim will be immediately published online.
- No MP will be allowed to re-designate their first and second homes for the purposes of the Additional Cost Allowance (ACA) without approval.
- Anyone selling a home for which mortgage interest is currently paid for by the taxpayer must confirm they will pay Capital Gains Tax if the property is sold.
I hope this is helpful, but I am happy to clarify any points if needed. Since this story first hit the headlines three weeks ago I have been out and about in the constituency, canvassing on the doorstep with our Conservative candidates and I have chaired three public meetings. My conscience is clear that I have not made a single dishonest claim. I have made it known through the local press that I am happy to meet any constituent who wishes to discuss the issue and I have also agreed to do an "on-line blog" with the Daily Echo this Friday, 5th June.
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