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MP Tipping says sorry in expenses
SHERWOOD MP Paddy Tipping has apologised for his 'bad judgement' and paid back £14,320 worth of expenses after becoming the latest MP to be thrust into the national spotlight in the Parliamentary expenses scandal.
He now says he was wrong to make taxpayers effectively pay for improvements to his second home in Lambeth.
On Thursday all MPs' claims were published by the Government on the Internet - with Mansfield MP Alan Meale coming under fire for his telephone bills and other claims.
In 2003 Mr Tipping extended his mortgage by 30,000 to repair, re-decorate and re-furnish the flat.
But he went on to claim the increased mortgage interest payments on expenses – meaning the taxpayer was footing the bill for the improvements.
He said: "I have become increasingly unhappy about that payment. I think people are facing a tough time at the moment. It seems wrong that I borrowed this money.
"In March this year I decided to stop claiming for these payments. I worked out with the fees office what the cost of that was right back to 2003, which was 14,000 and I have paid that back to the Commons.
"I think I showed bad judgement on this. I made a mistake. I am sorry and I am trying to put it right."
He now claims just a small amount on mortgage interest payments.
Mr Tipping claimed the maximum amount for food (400 a month) during the past four years and also claimed it during the summer recess 'because he still spent time in London'.
He explained that MPs now have a 25 per night allowance for food, which he said is a better system.
Mr Tipping is among 180 MPs (from a total of 648 in the Commons) who have paid back a combined total of almost 500,000-worth of expenses.
In 2007/08 his claims total was the 504th lowest and he has now started publishing his monthly expenses on his website.
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