Councilbust

 Conservative Southend West MP David Amess’ expenses were published today on a government website.

Mr Amess’ expenses claims forms, invoices and receipts are available for download in PDF format to the general public.

According to his paperwork, Mr Amess claimed exactly £250.00 in petty cash every month in the year 2007-2008, for which he did not have to produce any receipts.

Mr Amess also claimed expenses for a payment of £1,500.00 made to a company called Westminster Consultancy in March 2007 for “research for questions and speeches” according to an invoice.

The invoice contained no details of the address or VAT registration number of Westminster Consultancy, and the company does not appear to have a website.

Mr Amess was not available for comment when CouncilBust.com staff contacted his office earlier today.

Peter Welch, Liberal Democrat candidate for Mr Amess’ seat, told CouncilBust.com of his frustration that some information in Mr Amess’ paperwork has been blocked out with black boxes:

“Taxpayers are furious about the blacked-out non-publication of MPs’ expenses, and David Amess will face more calls for his resignation as a result.

“The long-awaited publication of MPs’ expenses has been an anti-climax so far.

“The things we need to know are obscured by heavy black masking. We are as much in the dark as ever.

“But at least the rules are now in the open, and they will have stunned taxpayers, and most private and public sector employees, used to justifiying all their claims for expenses.

“MPs seem to have the laxest rules imaginable; they don’t need to justify any expense under £250.00.

“They can put in a claim for £400.00 a month for food, with no justification whatsoever.

“In the few instances where a bill is required, they are allowed to censor the details put into the public domain.”