Letter to The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police

Now the Telegraph has turned the spotlight on members of the Conservative Party and also the smaller parties such as Sinn Fein, it is becoming clear that the abuse of the allowances system is endemic across the political spectrum. Following massive public concern, HMRC have announced that they are actively looking into whether any tax has been evaded - I trust that their investigations will be thorough and rigourous as I sense the public mood will not accept a fudge.

By their actions, some MPs have critically damaged faith in the democratic system in the UK. This boil must be lanced, and the only way to do this is to hold them fully accountable for their actions. I have therefore written the following letter to the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service:


Sir Paul Stephenson
Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW1H 0BG
11th May 2009
Dear Commissioner Stephenson,

In light of recent press coverage of the expenses claimed by MPs from a number of political parties, does the Metropolitan Police Service intend to launch investigations into whether criminal activity has taken place, particularly in relation to s.2 of the Fraud Act 2006, or any other relevant legislation?

The “Green Book 2006” published by the House of Commons Department of Finance & Administration is clear in section 3 that Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) can only be claimed for “... expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred when staying
overnight away from their main UK residence (referred to below as their main home) for the purpose of performing Parliamentary duties. This excludes expenses that have been incurred for purely personal or political purposes.”

The “Green Book” is also clear in its guidance to claimants that “It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself when you submit a claim...have been wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the purpose of performing...parliamentary duties”

A number of the press revelations, if accurate, would appear to fail these tests. Given that this issue crosses the political spectrum, I would be grateful for your assurance that if any investigations are undertaken, they will be conducted without fear or favour, and any criminal behaviour will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,


William Barnett
Jury Team Independent Candidate for the South West
Region, in the European Parliamentary Elections, 2009.
bill@southwestindependent.eu
www.southwestindependent.eu

A number of the MPs highlighted in the media have used the smokescreen that they have "acted within the rules" - I do not buy this, the rules are clear and are noted above. The other excuse that is being put forward is that it is the system that is wrong, and the blame lies with some poor bloody civil servant in the fees office. Again the rules are clear - the responsibility lies with the claimant.

Whether an offence under s.2 of the Fraud Act 2006 has taken place may hang on whether action was taken "dishonestly". In my view, MPs are caught between a rock and a hard place - in making these claims they are either dishonest or incompetant, there can be no other alternative. Either way, dishonest or incompetant, they have no place in public life - we deserve better representatives!

Harriet Harman recently raised the concept of the "court of public opinion" - well that court is being called to order on June 4th for its first hearing, the European and local elections. Sometime in the next year, it will hear its second case, the UK General election.

In the court of public opinion, every man and woman with the vote forms the Jury. Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, if you stay at home and do not exercise your vote, or you cast your vote for ANY party, you are condoning at best incompetance, and at worst criminality. Use your vote to send down the whole party system - vote for Independent candidates who are committed to representing your interests, not those of their party or themselves. Vote Jury Team.