Tory MPs claiming driving fines on expenses

[carinaman]

https://twitter.com/ThatTimWalker/status/166256362...

[shed driver]

I'm sure the words "inadvertent" an "oversight" or "genuine mistake by a member of my staff" may be used rather frequently by these MPs in the next few days.

Who honestly thinks (other than Suella Braverman) that claiming for fines on expenses is a legitimate one?

SD.

[Blue62]

I believe there’s an SNP MP as well, just for balance. Who in their right mind would think there was any legitimacy in such a claim, or indeed that it wouldn’t at some stage become public. The arrogance and stupidity is beyond contempt.

[Bathroom_Security]

Why is it OK to do this?

There will be no repercussions for these people. Yet its fraud is it not?

Corporate employees would be sacked for it.

[TheLurker]

Bathroom_Security said:

Why is it OK to do this?

There will be no repercussions for these people. Yet its fraud is it not?

Corporate employees would be sacked for it.

Exactly this.

Also, given how much public scrutiny MPs come under, how stupid do you have to be to not think they will be found out?

[AndyAudi]

shed driver said:

Who honestly thinks (other than Suella Braverman) that claiming for fines on expenses is a legitimate one?

SD.

I’ve been searching but can’t find (& wondering if it changed since I learned years ago) but I’m fairly certain it used to be the case that fines etc were allowable/legit expenses unless they were incurred by a director or person acting as a director.

I see however since then there has been some challenges to organisations expensing individuals fines as business costs on the bases that “punishments” should be personal.

ETA, still damn stupid for these characters to have done though!

[rscott]

Makes me wonder how many other expense claims wouldn't stand up to even the tiniest bit of scrutiny.

If I submit an expenses claim at work, I always need to supply receipts (or if they're not available, document the item/service purchased and who from). Seems pretty clear their expense system doesn't check any details of these claims.

[Randy Winkman]

I've probably said this before but when I was the manager of a (very capable) new civil servant apprentice a while ago when he was a bit stressed about a task I told him "You can mess up your work once in a while here but don't under any circumstances whatsoever look at any dodgy stuff on your work computer or claim even 1p too much on expenses". Shame it doesn't apply to Ministers as well as "the blob".

[catso]

Only three? I'd wager if three have been caught then more have done the same and probably more than once.

It's a bit like the claim, 'first offence' often heard in court...

[cuprabob]

Blue62 said:

I believe there’s an SNP MP as well, just for balance.

Yes, SNP MP Dave Doogan

[Gweeds]

On what fking planet is a speeding fine ever going to be ‘expenses’?

[Jimbo.]

Gweeds said:

On what fking planet is a speeding fine ever going to be ‘expenses’?

Precisely. It’s a deliberate act that requires a clear thought process, from what you’d think were intelligent individuals.

“Was this a legitimate expense necessary for my role?”

“No”

“Was this a punishment to be incurred by myself, for an act committed by myself, outside of my role?”

“Yes”

“OK, I’ll go to the time and effort, forms and paperwork, to recoup the money via the same channels as it if was a legislate business expense”

That is not a mistake. It’s deliberate.

[Sporky]

I was allowed to put a parking fine on expenses once.

[scenario8]

Gweeds said:

On what fking planet is a speeding fine ever going to be ‘expenses’?

The fines were Congestion Charge late payment surcharges.

[98elise]

scenario8 said:

Gweeds said:

On what fking planet is a speeding fine ever going to be ‘expenses’?

The fines were Congestion Charge late payment surcharges.

If it's not a fine but a charge, that puts a different slant on it.

Fines certainly should not be expensed.

[scenario8]

98elise said:

scenario8 said:

Gweeds said:

On what fking planet is a speeding fine ever going to be ‘expenses’?

The fines were Congestion Charge late payment surcharges.

If it's not a fine but a charge, that puts a different slant on it.

Fines certainly should not be expensed.

600+ MPs’ offices can potentially legitimately claim Congestion Charge payments. None can legitimately claim any late payment charges. Naturally not all MPs’ offices will commonly incur Congestion Charge costs but many will, and many will from time to time. Setting aside any outrage for a moment can we understand the possibility that over the decade the Independent’s researchers will have been scouring there might have been the odd time a lowly staffer might have put in an incorrect claim - or a reet dodgy bastid might have tried it on? We’ve found four MPs, a couple of times, at £80 for each occurrence.

Naughty naughty but I just can’t summon the energy to feel particularly scandalised here.

[Short Grain]

It's probably about time their expenses were reviewed again. Cynical, Me? Damn right I am, especially where this lot are concerned!

[S600BSB]

They really are a bunch of clowns.

[Supercilious Sid]

Sporky said:

I was allowed to put a parking fine on expenses once.

Same here

[Gweeds]

scenario8 said:

The fines were Congestion Charge late payment surcharges.

Ok. And the taxpayer should pick that up because?