BLACKBURN LIB DEM PROSPECTIVE PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATE HITS OUT AT MP's EXPENSES REVELATIONS

7.12.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 9th May 2009

Liberal Democrat PPC for Blackburn - Paul English

Blackburn Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate, Paul English, today lambasted senior Minsters after details of their parliamentary claims were revealed.

Speaking after a meeting with local members, Paul English said

"is it any wonder that some Ministers have expressed anger that details have been leaked before they were due to be published in July. Their claims that this has been politically motivated by a Conservative supporting newspaper reek of double standards. It is obvious that the July date was set deliberately as it falls after the European and local elections in June. MP's and Senior Ministers are expressing regret and claiming they have acted within the rules. I would suggest the only regret they have is the fact that this information has become public. A radical overhaul of the current system is required forthwith - and not the mish mash that has been hastily proposed by the Prime Minister.

It absolutely stinks when it is revealed that the Justice Secretary, and our local MP, Jack Straw had to refund £1,500 expenses that were overpaid, after he claimed for council tax paid at the full rate - when he was already getting a 50% discount. I am aware that he told the BBC he had acted "in complete good faith and within the rules" but regretted the "error" on council tax.

Are we to believe that he is so incompetent that he can not fill in a simple claim form? Council Tax is unpopular enough. To see what has happened here will fill the Blackburn electorate with dismay as they struggle to pay their own bills."