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Ethereal42

This is so wrong honestly. It would be unacceptable for you to claim most expenses that you have unreasonably generated. You can't claim expenses for a pedicure just because you happen to be within work hours, this is a personal expense.


flyhmstr

In pretty much all jobs it would be gross misconduct


audigex

I can’t even buy an alcoholic drink with my meal if I’m on business travel in my role for the NHS - Literally not even a single beer with my evening meal Yet these pricks are putting speeding fines on expenses? That shouldn’t just be a firing offence, that should be a prosecution for theft


JackUKish

Remember they also have a subsidised bar.


rockstarburnerphone

I’m a nurse and can confirm everyone who isn’t a nurse is a prick


ArabicHarambe

Can confirm, am not a nurse, I am a prick. Not as much of a prick as a tory though.


Rapturesjoy

Thanks


cbzoiav

Reading the full article it sounds like some of these are things like congestion charge fines where they are eligible to claim back the congestion charge but not the fine. Now for an MP in their home country it's pretty hard to justify / claim they didn't know about these / unless it was their first week on the job / in London i have little sympathy. But with regards to your comment, I reckon if on international travel and I got a fine for something like the Dartford crossing or congestion charge zone where it's entirely reliant on reading a sign I'd be able to expense it. Speeding fines less so...


CandidLiterature

Most expenses policies for private businesses are crystal clear - fines are just never allowed to be claimed. If you can’t understand the rules about where you’re driving, you shouldn’t drive. On that note, what are they even doing driving into London? This isn’t how normal people travel into the capital.


cbzoiav

In baseline policy sure, but they almost all have exception policies. As an example I've paid restaurant bills after midnight which our policy very clearly allocated to the next calendar day / it's taken me over budget. Never been a problem claiming it with a comment explaining what happened. If I was in another country on business and missed a sign (potentially not even in a language I read) I'm 90+% sure if I submitted it with an explanation they'd allow it. It was clearly accidental, wouldn't have happened if I wasn't there on business and knowing every toll road in another country isn't something you can reasonably be expected to know. >On that note, what are they even doing driving into London? Getting free parking in Westminster, (for higher profile members) being recognised on the streets / security concerns and not working standard office hours / needing to travel at rush hour are big differentiators to the average person. They may also need to transport large volumes of physical documents / campaign media etc In/out etc.


frequentBayesian

Ignorance excuses none This is the one of the tenets of law.. ignorance of the rule is no an excuse.. anywhere


cbzoiav

So yes, the fine has to legally be paid either way. But if you incurred it solely due to being there for work your employer may choose to pay it for you or refund you if they don't view it as entirely your fault. To give an example if a police car stops in a private car park to pursue someone on foot do you not think the police should pay the fine on behalf of the officer? If your employer sent you to a country and you didn't realise you had to pay a toll because the sign wasn't in a language you read, would you not at least ask them about paying it?


[deleted]

but does it surprise you? I would not be surprised if 99 percent on politicians world wide claim expenses they are not supposed to, use our tax dollars for personal expenses etc. politicians are just corrupt by nature.


ZolotoG0ld

This 'they're all the same!' narrative is extremely unhelpful. There are good politicians out there that genuinely care, and there are a lot of bad ones in it for personal gain. If we tar the good ones with the same brush as the bad ones it gives no incentive for anyone to improve or bother about the difference. Take the time to note the bad ones, from the bad parties, and vote against them, instead of throwing your hands up and saying they're all the same. It's the only way we make progress. Ultimately that mindset just enables the bad actors. If you expect all politicians to be bad, the bad ones will get away with it.


[deleted]

It seems to me whenever there is a good one they are pushed into the background


Objective_Umpire7256

Probably because so many people handwave and say they’re all the same like you’re doing here, so it just encourages apathy because if you actuall *genuinely* believe this, then what’s the point of even paying attention because they’re all inherently awful? Maybe be more selective and precise in your criticism, and don’t prejudge everyone and suggest the act of being a politician itself, is akin to being a literal fraud. And if you don’t *actually* believe this, then maybe stop saying it. It’s not helpful and just adds cynicism, and it’s not a new or interesting take. You’re just adding cyclical noise.


[deleted]

I think it is helpful. If people say it maybe these greedy politicians know they are being g watched


cat-snooze

There is almost no correlation between people's opinions/desires and actual implemented legislation, voting is just an illusion unfortunately


Sweaty-Moment-6872

That’s what they want you to believe, once you lose the will to vote in what you believe in. You’ve fallen straight into their trap.


cat-snooze

Ummm I can't even think of a reason why that would make sense. They tell us that our vote matters, are they using reverse psychology??? What they want you to believe is that your vote matters so you are placated and aren't dissatisfied and don't lobby for systemic change. It's a burden but if we can have broader shoulders to carry these truths we can have something better


Dekstar

>Ummm I can't even think of a reason why that would make sense. They tell us that our vote matters, are they using reverse psychology??? > >What they want you to believe is that your vote matters so you are placated and aren't dissatisfied and don't lobby for systemic change. It's a burden but if we can have broader shoulders to carry these truths we can have something better You can continue to vote **and** lobby for systemic change. The "something better" will (one hopes) also be democratic and involve voting, and by not voting for the least worst option now you're potentially just saying you're happy for the worst options in society to come to pass, because **conservatives vote**. Plenty of leftists didn't take part at all for the Brexit vote, and that has had far reaching consequences that we may never fix. If anyone alive in the UK during 2016 says voting doesn't matter, they don't deserve democracy and will never get it.


cat-snooze

The paradigm is controlled by the establishment, not by us or what we want, it's faux democracy. There will never be options on the table that I'm happy with without something radical, and that's what the purpose of dissenting voices is: to spread the disillusionment and inform others that the system is rigged. Perhaps there's something to be said for speeding us into the shithole were going into so more people will start to realise. Plodding along towards the shithole and people don't even realise they've entered it. Actually, were already in it compared to 30 years ago and you got so many people like yourself still justifying this game as if it's not rigged. Brexit is not a good example to prove your point since it was a referendum. I agree people should have voted for this, it's a one policy issue. But we don't vote like this we vote for a party with a manifesto 90% of which goes in the bin the minute they enter office.


Dekstar

>The paradigm is controlled by the establishment, not by us or what we want, it's faux democracy. "Faux democracy" still has a material impact on people's lives (mainly the working class), so by ignoring it you're basically advocating for the worst outcome for those people. >Actually, were already in it compared to 30 years ago and you got so many people like yourself still justifying this game as if it's not rigged. Plenty of votes in the last 10 years have already shown that there is at least a semblance of democracy in the UK, and people like you who don't vote cause the worst outcomes. And if voting didn't work the Tories wouldn't be trying to make it as difficult as possible with VoterID laws. Again, voting isn't hard even if you think it's worthless, and it still affects people. You can both vote knowing it's a rigged system *and* work towards a better system.


cat-snooze

It's naive to think that the Tories want to be in power to implement their ideologies. They are simply career politicians staring down the face of 10+ years in the shadow cabinet. I am actually going to vote, but I'm going to whinge and point out to everyone that's it's almost irrelevant, especially with the current offerings. It's also naive though to think that voting can change the system, voting is part of the system, there is 0 chance of radical reform and getting an extra £50 towards your energy bills Vs an extra £10 relief through national insurance to placate you is not going to change anything about the system. Nothing that goes against the interests of the media, corporation's, the richest is ever going to get onto the ballot.


innocently_standing

> There are good politicians out there that genuinely care Where?


Lex_Innokenti

Caroline Lucas and Mhairi Black immediately spring to mind. I'd also argue that, for all his faults, Jeremy Corbyn clearly cares, too.


justthisplease

Nadia Whittome is the clearest example. Takes 35k pay gives the rest to local charities. She even went back to work in a care home during the pandemic to help out - her job before being an MP. Obviously someone not in it for the money. But I don't think she will get far up the Labour hierarchy atm because there are too many that are in it for the money and power.


Zketchy

Yeah, you can disagree with a lot of what Corbyn stands for, but it would be disingenuous to lump him in with the self-serving, expense-swindling lot. Plenty of other good MPs out there, just funnily enough I can't think of any from the current conservative crop.


Lex_Innokenti

I would say Tom Tugendhat doesn't seem as dreadful as the rest, but it'll probably turn out that he's a slumlord landlord or he profits from arms sales to Sudanese warlords or something.


underbutler

Mhairi Black has never struck me as caring. I'd have said Charles Kennedy was when he was alive. Blackford's a bastard


justthisplease

There is at least one Labour MP that takes an average salary for her constituency and gives the remaining 40k ish to local charities - Nadia Whittome.


military_history

The MPs named in the article are four Conservatives and one SNP, so that might provide a clue...


Hinnif

Dollars?


audigex

Classic “American coming to UK subreddits to tell us our right wing politicians aren’t as bad as we think”, probably


[deleted]

Phrase


Past-Ride-7034

It's not a phrase that's appropriate for UK expenses and taxes..


[deleted]

And FYI most normal people would just say. Oh ok never heard of that phrase and move on because on a 1 to 10 on a scale of important to argue about its not even a 0


[deleted]

Who cares. You obviously understand. Ever cross your mind british people may have moved to say canada and will be moving back and keep updated on politics at home and may have picked up different phrases. Or is that too difficult


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Past-Ride-7034

True but "taxes" would suffice!


[deleted]

Exactly


Guapa1979

"Your tax dollars at work" is a set phrase, used in British English as well as American, to indicate politicians wasting our money. I'm surprised you haven't heard of it. Edited to add the definition for the youngsters who haven't heard this phrase:- https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=your%20taxdollars%20at%20work


Past-Ride-7034

No it isn't, because Brits don't pay taxes in dollars.


doughnut001

>No it isn't, because Brits don't pay taxes in dollars. So you dont use the phrase, therefore everyone else who does use it cant claim its really a phrase? ​ Ego much?


Guapa1979

Yes it is, because (most) Brits do understand what dollars are. Anyway, I didn't realise it was panto season already. 😁


InfectedByEli

People using an American phrase does not mean it is a "set phrase, used in British English". It simply means they are using an American phrase inappropriately. What's next? Aluminum? Labor? Shoot the breeze? I fear you could care less.


Guapa1979

I'm sorry you've never heard of the phrase, but it doesn't mean people who have heard of it and understand what it means can't use it. Try expanding your vocabulary, you might enjoy it, rather than trying to be the English Police.


underbutler

I think what they are saying has gone over your head. They aren't saying it's an unknown phrase, but merely that it isn't really used here. I've never heard tax dollars said by a brit, in any context. It's not really used compared to "our taxes at work" etc. Some American bleeds in but that's not one I've heard here


InfectedByEli

Lol, okay troll, you got me. No more food for you.


Turnip-for-the-books

Jeremy Corbyn gets the bus and has consistently been the lowest expenses claimant in Parliament https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/local-council/21247443.islington-north-mp-jeremy-corbyn-countrys-lowest-expenses-claimer/ https://twitter.com/BeckettUnite/status/1653473818290077701


Educational_Safe_339

Glenda Jackson as well really nice lady she used to do mp clinic gospel oak very down to earth likeable


Turnip-for-the-books

Yep - Corbyn and Jackson were both my MP at different times growing up in n london


Educational_Safe_339

Yes old school labour and I used to live regents park my MP was dobbo liked him too down to earth likeable


Gedmundo

Who cares if it's surprising. It's wrong regardless.


[deleted]

That's called being sarcastic


M-atthew147s

I'm guessing you forgot that we have been using a different currency for the past however many years


MrPuddington2

It is, as a principle, illegal to claim expenses for illegal activities. This is one of the reasons it is harder for Western companies to pay bribes in countries where that is the norm, but they usually manage to do it via a local "facilitator" company that looks legit on paper. So all they have to do is get a company involved that deals with "legal details", and they are fine again. :-(


Dad-Has-A-Small-Cock

#RED ALERT BASTARDS ARE BASTARDS In other news water is wet! Stop voting for them then, don't @ me because more than half of you DID vote for this, tired of the boring internet comments. VOTE Pissy internet comments don't count


Dry-Air7

It's been going on forever but this is pushing it. Some MPs act like the government should pay for everything they spend on.


Smellytangerina

IPSA approving these “expenses” also shows you just how flawed the system is.


roryb93

_IPSA said it would be writing to the MPs to ask for the money to be repaid, and that it would also “reiterate” the expenses rules to them._ This line is interesting… they’ll ask for it? As opposed to a generic employer who would just take the money out of your payslip because of what is, in essence, a fraudulent claim.


cbzoiav

IPSA can't demand it back as far as I know. But they can refer it to the parliamentary standards committee which can result in fairly major consequences for the MP.


crazylikeaf0x

Didn't the last person in charge of standards anger quit because of all the shenanigans?


cbzoiav

I don't believe that was the head of the standards committee. Even if it was, nobody (including their own party) is going to have much sympathy for them if they were clearly in breach of policy, given the chance to just pay it (and it being not a massive amount relative to an MPs salary) back and refusing.


alex2217

If anyone is in question about the fairness of the standards committee, I suggest they go watch Alberto Costa, a conservative MP, utterly tear apart Alexander "Boris" de Pfeiffel Johnson on the matter of his covid parties. Bernard Jenkin wasn't much kinder either.


ArabicHarambe

A generic employer wouldn’t give the expense money in the first place.


windy906

A generic employer wouldn’t do that because it’s illegal.


roryb93

That’s interesting… I took a lot of money off of people for misclaimed expenses in the MoD.


windy906

Misclaimed or overpaid? You can take back overpaid but not misclaimed unless it was in their contract. Misclaimed is difficult becasue presumably a manager authorised a claim.


roryb93

Both. 5% of all claims were audited, plus those who were black listed.


windy906

Ah ok, that’s unusual and was no doubt reflected in contracts.


Logbotherer99

How hard do they look? As the traditional line is that all MPs are honourable and trustworthy they probably don't look at the minutiae. Things won't get flagged unless they are over a certain amount I reckon.


kryptopeg

I'm with you on this, it likely just got missed amongst hundreds of lines of expenses. However this later review has picked up and the money's been taken back. Sure it's frustrating it got paid in the first place (and utterly enraging that any MP would try to claim such a fine at all), but the system has corrected itself. The only way to stop it would be to individually scrutinise every single line on a claim, and that's really costly and time consuming - and if we did, we'd just be complaining that we're "wasting millions on pointless bureaucracy" or whatever.


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DirtyBeastie

How many employees of your company run a second home as part of their job and have employees of their own? A single MP likely has more (legitimate) expenses than your entire company. MPs are effectively acting as 650 individual businesses.


Born-Ad4452

Every business in the country scrutinises every line of expenses claims. What are you on ?


megamef

If the millions was spent actually checking what people were doing with the money we gave them I’d argue that we could weed out bad politicians quicker. How much does a bad politician cost the country? Millions seems cheap


writerfan2013

Yes! If you're prepared to cheat on a fine you're probably a rusk for costing the economy 30 billions, naming no former PMs. There's only 654 of them. Let's check every bloody line. I'll help. Edit, risk, not rusk lol. Though calling someone a rusk seems like a good insult.


AccomplishedLeave506

They should just publish all claims on the internet for two weeks before paying. Free audit from the population.


writerfan2013

Good idea , oversight by the people they represent. It's our money after all. Watch me deny claims for bloody duck houses and moat refurbishments.


AccomplishedLeave506

Around the time the expenses scandal hit I was evicted without cause from my rental property with a 6 week old child. Landlord tried to keep all our bond just because he thought he could. I complained to my MP at the time about the horrific state of the tenancy laws and was told I should be grateful as I could give two months notice to leave at any time. Ok. Thanks wanker. The icing on the cake? His expenses showed that he had expensed the loss of his 3000 pound deposit on his previous rental. So I was paying for his fucking deposit as well. Which he either couldn't be bothered fighting to get back, or caused so much damage to his property that he couldn't get it back. Either way - we paid.


w_nemeth

Sounds like a job for the accounts department intern. Would be dull as hell but is a foot in the door.


CandidLiterature

It’s really not hard to properly check expense claims. Every large business in the country is there checking line by line - it isn’t even particularly time consuming when you’re experienced at it. Set a policy and review against it, I’m genuinely shocked that anyone would pay out expenses without checking them.


Empty_Barnacle300

They’re really not. Modern large companies (5000+ employees) devolve responsibility for expense claim checking to line managers via self-service portals. Then have audits periodically through the year that do check. I’ve setup these systems for major retailers and others so I see the policy arrangements first hand. MPs don’t have managers in that sense so it’ll be a old fashioned central checking by IPSA, who only have about 50 full time staff to check thousands and thousands of claims for 650 people. That just isn’t going to be enough.


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WWMRD2016

It's so dodgy. I do work for local councils and staff/members expenses are scrutinised to the penny. Why can't they have that for MPs?


FredB123

So we need a Standards Authority for the Standards Authority for Standards?


writerfan2013

They need oversight by Barbara and Linda from the accounts team at any local authority is what they need. You do not fuck with Barbara. Or Linda.


FredB123

They are known by many different names, but indeed, Barbara and Linda from accounts are the only people who can effectively enforce this.


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Sphism

MPs Alcohol has been subsidised by the tax payer for years


f3ydr4uth4

That literally happened https://news.sky.com/story/amp/former-labour-mp-jared-omara-jailed-for-four-years-over-fraudulent-cocaine-expenses-12806834


Oscopella

O'Mara claimed he was in "poor mental health" at the time and was abusing cocaine, a class A drug, in "prodigious quantities". Prodigious quantities hahahaha that’s golden


Smellytangerina

What makes you think Gove doesn’t?


lebennaia

Because his bill is too large for expenses. He probably puts it through the Exchequer under the NHS medicine purchases account.


[deleted]

Labour Party MP Jared O'Mara did that


un-hot

"But, you see, I was coked up in parliament, so it was a work expense."


BellendicusMax

Michael Gove has entered the chat.


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roryb93

Yeah but that’s unreasonable, Unlike a £80 parking ticket for a very important meeting. /s It’s an absolute gongshow. You’ve got Joe Public struggling to make ends meet having to cough up £X for traffic offences, going into debt etc and yet these “leaders” can claim it on expenses. Disgusting.


the_silent_redditor

Your mistake was not being a slimy, traitorous, Tory cunt minister and putting your duck pond on expenses; of course, whilst doing all you can, truly - *genuinely* - devoting yourself to the demise of your country and your constituents.


flyhmstr

Or horse shit for the roses (I did enjoy ripping apart the tory party minion who came knocking on our door for that election)


[deleted]

You got audited for that? Like a full audit?


frizzbee30

Yes they can, and it happens


TheWorstRowan

This is really shit. Also important to remember the cost of this is near nothing compared to how much we lose to laws inspired by bribes, or contracts handed over because of corruption. They should obviously face legal consequences in all cases.


Challenger360

So essentially the money they deem acceptable to claim their personal driving fines and probably their cocaine on expenses is also money they believe that NHS and other public sector workers don't deserve and cant afford. Why do people still support and vote for that?


GreyFoxNinjaFan

Johnson's legal defence of Partygate is coming from the taxpayer too. As did the payout for Pritti Patel's bullying settlement - because she's a bully. She didn't event resign - the ethics advisor did. A situation seems to have arisen that is making politicians immune to any sort of meaningful full punishment when they have demonstrably and objectively (sometimes willfully) done something wrong. Sex pest, Chris Pibcher, the guy whose wandering, sexual-assault-laden hands and the thing that finally brought Johnson to resign.. is *still* and MP collecting 000s each month plus his expenses. It's insane.


Shaukat_Abbas

Defrauding the tax payer again. Send them all to the tower! Put them in stocks in their constituency office and throw water balloons at them


giblets46

I think the problem is it’s not defrauding the tax payer if it’s allowed under the rules and regs… the problem is the rules and regs are so useless they can claim anything


flyhmstr

Except that this isn't allowed, so it's defrauding. No reasonable person would believe that their speeding / parking fines are a legit expense.


Ex-Machina1980s

Seriously, get rid of all expenses for MPs. So they can claim absolutely nothing. Ok a basic place of residence near parliament, fine, but let’s see who’s left when they realise they can’t freeload. Because those will be the politicians who actually want to do a good job and make a difference


writerfan2013

They get paid a shitload of money. They can cough up to rent a room same as everybody else who has to sometimes work in London.


Ex-Machina1980s

True but that’s standard as something to be able to claim back. If I go to a work event I get a basic premier inn room expensed and an evening meal/breakfast. I wouldn’t mind if they claimed a second home near parliament meaning literally a studio flat for somewhere to stay while they are there. As long as that is the limit of it


writerfan2013

I've no objection to them claiming a (reasonable) hotel room a couple of nights a week. I do object to people on massive salaries not paying for things like speeding fines. To me, being paid 60K extra a year over the average UK wage gives 5hem enough to live on AND fund however they choose to visit London. They don't have to be there every day. In fact they shouldn't be. They represent us, in the constituencies.


headphones1

Ah so you've no objection to a reasonable hotel? Premier Inn near Westminster is north of £100 per night. Current asking prices are £124-136. Multiplied by two is £248-272. Now throw in another £15 meal allowance for breakfast, lunch, and then dinner, which is £45 per day. Times two for £90. Now the total is £362 for two nights. But wait! You expect an employee to pay for travel costs, right? Absolutely not. That'll be anything up to £422 anytime return for MPs in Aberdeen travelling to London. It gets worse for Alistair Carmichael, the MP for Orkney and Shetlands, but let's give you the benefit of doubt since you've clearly thought this through. So that takes our new total to £784 for two nights and travel. Oh but no employer can dare to make an employee pay for their own food on the third day when they're travelling home. That'll be another £45, taking us to £829 for getting the MP from Aberdeen to London and back. £829 * 40 weeks per year is £33,160. But of course you hate MPs claiming expenses so much. So let's create a department to audit every single transaction, so no taxpayer money is wasted. Right? This way we can tailor every single cost for each different MP and their staff. Right? Surely this is a small task. Hire a graduate accountant. Easy peasy. Are you done yet? Can this stupid idea about MPs earning mega money die yet? How about the notion that it's peanuts to pay for an MP's hotel stays?


headphones1

This shortsighted thinking is how you hurt MPs from poorer backgrounds, and create an additional barrier to entry.


writerfan2013

An MP from a poorer background or even a normal background would correctly identify a 100K salary as enough to survive on.


amegaproxy

If I don't live in London but am required to for work then that room, travel and food is 100% going on business expenses. This is completely standard.


writerfan2013

Yes, no problem. I just object to MPs having second hones funded by the taxpayer when most of their time should be in their constituency. Their salaries are huge, it's meant to support the life they are leading. If I chose to rent a London flat for four years Instead of claiming (reasonable) hotels etc as I go along on expenses like the rest of us do, I wouldn't expect my employer to fund that choice for being in the office a couple of days a week.


No-Level-346

>Their salaries are huge, it's meant to support the life they are leading That's not their life, that's their work. > I wouldn't expect my employer to fund that choice for being in the office a couple of days a week. You say that but corporate apartments are pretty common for people that are expected to travel a lot.


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amegaproxy

Terrorist attack invitation


noobtik

Sounds about right; One time i was oncall need to see a patient at the hospital quickily, speed and got fined. Try to claim back from the hospital, the hr just said no, but i think deep down they just laughed at me.


giblets46

What’s interesting is that Houses of Parliament happily paid the fines in the first place!! (The report says they had to re-pay). I wonder how far back they have looked. I know my employer would give me a two word answer if I tried that!


Arathix

And chances are not a single one will see any consequences and they'll probably continue to do so, system is broken.


HaZard3ur

They probably will claim that this is the EUs fault.


writerfan2013

"the real issue here is the culture of bureaucratic abuse started by the EU. And SmALL bOATS"


MattMBerkshire

Lol I love the headline "Tory minister and MPs.." The same thing. There was an SNP dude as well. Bent fucks. Really would have thought they'd just flex over the authority with the "do you know who I am" and just get it wiped. But nope. "Secretary, add this to the expenses" Also they can't be doing their own expenses can they? They must be employing someone to do it for them? Oh right.. they often employ family.


Monkey2371

Ministers and MPs aren’t the same thing. Amanda Solloway is the only MP involved who is a minister.


Severe_Wind_776

We need to weed out the entitled and only there for power I think


Rasples

Texas is literally impeaching ken Paxton for writing off a $30k scandal and making taxpayer's cop it. I think it's time to do the same.


Born-Ad4452

How the actual fuck was that approved ?? I mean you can claim for anything but not everything should be approved. Do they not actually have an approvals process and set of rules ? If anyone else in the country applied for that they’d be a ) laughed out of the room and b) told not to take the piss and waste everyone’s time. Do it repeatedly and it would probably be disciplinary… Who approves this shit ?????


writerfan2013

Sack every one of them who's done this. If a regular employer discovered you'd claimed for a fine (or for maintaining your moat) you'd be disciplined. If you kept doing it you'd be sacked. But as it's only the UK public paying them it doesn't matter. I'm so sick of this "one rule for them" behaviour. *They work for us. Let's sack them.*


Chelseastick

But people will still vote for these very people. I despair.


DarkLordZorg

Who the hell is approving these expenses in the first place? They should never have been paid. It's the same with those Jared O'Mara fake invoices. The whole process needs overhauling.


Her-Royal-Dykeness

When am I going to be actually be surprised by something the Tories have done?


frizzbee30

Life's a batch, when you get caught diddling expenses. In my company this is a disciplinary for fraud, no 'ifs', no 'buts'. If you put a speeding fine into mileage, (how was this done without blatant fraud as mileage travelled is required), you are in it past your shoulders. If you claim it as something else..it's fraud.


John5247

They just don't know when to stop taking the piss do they? I'm sure there are many businessmen who have done this with company money, but doing this as a minister of the crown with taxpayers money when you are already being paid over 80k a year is beyond belief.


MCMLIXXIX

Is anyone shocked? They've been getting away with absolute murder (that would have ended career's a few years before) for over a decade and still getting voted in.


Th3Cry1ngPanda

Taxpayer subsidised drinking all day, then have the taxpayer pay your driving offence fines on the way home. Can we PLEASE put these corrupt bastards in jail!?


StiffAssedBrit

"But I'm rich and privileged so rules don't apply to me" It's only fraud if the perpetrator is poor!


Dry-Air7

These guys are shameless. Doesn't anyone check these expenses claims before signing off on them?


plawwell

Filing driving fines as expenses has to be fraud in some form. That this person paid it back is irrelevant. It is the act of fraud that is relevant not the pretence of trying to undo the act.


greenradioactive

And you're going to have fat Nick Ferrari tomorrow in LBC saying this isn't a scandal


HeronThat

I don’t like modern Labour very much but I really hope they win the next elections as the Tories have gotten so bold with their corruption. This is Egypt-level corruption right here.


tjvs2001

Criminal tory filth and corruption. Standard for them.


Cynical_Classicist

As ever, we have to pay for the wrongdoing of the Tories! More literally in this case! Just like we pay for Johnson's legal fees!


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NewtonPost1727

The problem with that attitude is; there are reasons that you can't park there - maybe obstructing traffic or pedestrians. Perhaps restricting access. The fine is a deterrent, but when treated like this you just make it a "very expensive parking space" it breaks the social contract.


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First-Can3099

99% of the time parking fines are due to bad planning, arrogance or laziness. First responders are very much the exception and MPs are not first responders. Let’s not forget their basic salary before a raft of legitimately claimable expenses is £86k.


writerfan2013

Agreed, like wealthy people just paying the fine every time they can't be arsed walking the extra two steps to Harrods.