Ministers asks watchdog to overview bills guidelines after £900 canine declare | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Ministers will ask a Parliamentary watchdog to overview some bills claims after a Labour MP was in a position to declare £900 from the taxpayer in “pet rent”. Security minister Dan Jarvis insisted his colleague Taiwo Owatemi, a Government whip and the MP for Coventry North West, adopted the principles when she made the bills declare in August final 12 months.

But the minister mentioned the “rules can’t be right”, including the Government would urge the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) to vary them.

Asked concerning the bills declare, Mr Jarvis instructed broadcaster LBC: “I wouldn’t do that, haven’t done that. Therefore, I think it can’t be right that the rules allow any Member of Parliament to do that.

“That is why the Government will be making representations to Ipsa, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, to ask them to look very carefully at the detail of this particular rule.

“It’s important to say that the MP in question, she hasn’t done anything wrong in that she’s followed the rules as they are at the moment, but we don’t think that those rules can be right and that’s why the government will flag it with Ipsa.”

It was put to Mr Jarvis by LBC {that a} Labour MP claiming an expense for pet hire because the Government minimize advantages was not a great look.

He replied: “Yeah. That is why the Government will raising concerns about this particular rule and we will pick that up with Ipsa.”

Disability campaigner Hannah Campbell, 41, slammed the MP’s expense.

Ms Campbell, who needed to have her left leg amputated after she was in an explosion whereas she was serving within the Iraq War, mentioned: “This is a disgrace.

“It’s one set of rules for them and one set of rules for everyone else. They are not leading by example.

“When disability money is being cut, to hear that an MP has received £900 for a dog really is shocking.”

As a whip, the MP will assist impose the Government’s £5 billion incapacity profit cuts.

Labour defended Ms Owatemi’s bills declare, with a celebration spokesman saying: “MPs are required to work in two locations, and this is a requirement for living in this house.

“It is the same for many other MPs and has been approved by the parliamentary expenses watchdog.”

MPs can declare again hire on their lodging in London if they’ve a constituency outdoors of the capital.John O’Connell, chief government of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, mentioned: “It’s surely enough for MPs to get the rent on a second home paid for without the need to pick up the tab for their furry friends as well.

“No one begrudges a politician wanting a pet, but they should pay for the cost themselves.”

MPs have simply been given a 2.8% pay rise – which means they are going to now earn £93,904 a 12 months.

Ipsa instructed a newspaper it agreed to fund the pet hire surcharge for Ms Owatemi, however “gave incorrect advice as to how it should be described”.

“We have apologised directly to the MP and are sorry for any confusion,” the parliamentary watchdog added.

John O’Connell, chief government of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, mentioned: “It’s surely enough for MPs to get the rent on a second home paid for without the need to pick up the tab for their furry friends as well.

“No one begrudges a politician wanting a pet, but they should pay for the cost themselves.”

MPs have simply been given a 2.8% pay rise – which means they are going to now earn £93,904 a 12 months.

Ipsa instructed a newspaper it agreed to fund the pet hire surcharge for Ms Owatemi, however “gave incorrect advice as to how it should be described”.

“We have apologised directly to the MP and are sorry for any confusion,” the parliamentary watchdog added.