Flintshire MPs Mark Tami and David Hanson ‘cooperating’ with expenses inquiry

Oct 15 2009 by Eleanor Barlow, Flintshire Chronicle

FLINTSHIRE MPs say they are ‘co-operating fully’ with an inquiry into their expenses.

Alyn and Deeside MP Mark Tami and Delyn MP David Hanson returned to Westminster this week and, along with all other MPs, received a letter about the expenses they claimed for second homes between 2004 and 2008.

The letters are a result of the Legg Inquiry, set up to look into the controversial expense claims of members, and some recommend MPs pay money back.

Mr Tami and Mr Hanson this week released the same statement.

It said: “I am cooperating fully with the Legg Inquiry’s provisional examination and will release full details on completion.”

MPs have about two weeks to respond to the letters. Sir Thomas Legg, who has been leading the inquiry, is believed to have been looking at whether MPs used expenses to improve their properties, rather than just to maintain them.

Mr Hanson’s expenses, reported by the Chronicle in May, included claims of £149 for a microwave and £72 for cushions, while Mr Tami’s included £3,500 towards a new bathroom and £599.99 for a new television.

Then, the two released a joint statement which said: “The system needs root and branch reform.

“Unprecedented change is required and it is simply not enough just to say you’ve operated within the rules.”