MP expenses: Duddridge blames rule book whilst Amess denies wrong-doing

The MP expenses row has been the biggest national news story of the week, and yesterday Southend MP James Duddridge finally made a public statement about his own expenses.

Mr Duddridge promised that he would publish all of his receipts online for constituents to examine, and would pay back any amount that the public thought untoward.

The Southend East and Rochford MP had a letter, which will be delivered to his constituents, published in the Echo this week, which details his approach to expenses:

The letter reads:

“I think every Member of Parliament shares some responsibility for the erosion in public confidence which has occurred, in us individually, and collectively, as a Parliament.

“I’d like to apologise to constituents for any part I have played in this. I think people are right to be angry about some of the things MPs have claimed for, and that sadly this issue has undermined our political process.

“I am saddened the majority of the public now assume all MPs are scoundrels and crooks.”

Mr Duddridge said that a “horrendously complicated rule book”, “improper enforcement of the rules” and “a lack of independent audit” led to the claims MPs have made for home swimming pools, mortgages that have already been paid off, and other expenditure deemed unnecessary by the public.  

 Meanwhile, Southend West MP David Amess has issued a statement, saying:

 “All the claims I have made since I was first elected to Parliament in June 1983 have been made in good faith.

 “I have always consulted the Fees Office about their appropriateness.

 “We have to start by saying the system we had and used was wrong and we are sorry about that.”