Former Hove MP asked to repay £17k after failing to respond to expenses inquiry
12:23pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in News
Hove MP asked to repay £17k after failing to respond to expenses inquiry
Former Hove MP Ivor Caplin is being asked to repay £17,865 he claimed in MPs allowances for mortgage interest after failing to respond to letters asking him to back up his claims.
Mr Caplin, who was the Labour MP for Hove from 1997 until 2005 when he was succeeded by fellow Labourite Celia Barlow.
He was contacted by Sir Thomas Legg as part of his inquiry into MPs' spending from 2004-05 to 2008-09.
Sir Thomas wrote: No reply has been received from Mr Caplin to a number of letters sent to the address held by the House authorities. In default of evidence to support payments for mortgage interest of £17,865.33 for 2004-05 and April 2005, I must regard these payments as having been invalid. Accordingly my recommendation is that Mr Caplin should repay the whole of this sum.”
Speaking about the expenses culture in general, he wrote: “The ACA system was deeply flawed. In particular, the rules were vague, and MPs were themselves self-certifying as to the propriety of their use of the allowance.
“Taken with the prevailing lack of transparency and the ‘culture of deference’, this meant that the Fees Office’s decisions lacked legitimacy; and many of them were in fact mistaken.”
Before he became an MP, Mr Caplin, who was born in Brighton, was council leader of Hove Borough Council from 1995 to 1997, when it merged with Brighton, when he became deputy leader until resigning in March 1998, ten months after his election to Parliament.
He now runs Ivor Caplin Consultancy Ltd, with one of his clients being the political lobbying group Foresight Consulting
The MPs' expenses row, sparked by a long series of revelations in The Telegraph last year, dramatically lowered voters' confidence in their Parliamentary representatives.
One of the most controversial claims by a Sussex MP was by Labour Hove MP Celia Barlow, who claimed allowances to make extensive renovations to her Hove home and moving costs, including stamp duty. The total paid out was more than £28,000.
Tory Wealden MP Charles Hendry spent £7,000 on domestic staff, while Lib Dem Lewes MP Norman Baker, claimed £20,000 to rent a constituency office in the building he had bought as his own home.
In contrast, Labour MP Laura Moffat was so determined to keep her expenses down she slept on a camp bed in her House of Commons office - although she has since been told she couldn't continue doing this because of fire safety regulations.
What your MP has been asked to repay
Norman Baker - Lewes
Mr Baker has no issues.
Gregory Barker - Bexhill & Battle Mr Barker has no issues.
Celia Barlow - Hove Ms Barlow was paid £635 for a mortgage valuation on her main home in August 2005.
This was not allowable under the Green Book rules.
Total repayment recommended: £635.00
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £635.00
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Peter Bottomley - Worthing West Mr Bottomley has no issues.
Michael Jabez Foster - Hastings & Rye Mr was overpaid by £515.76 for mortgage interest during the period April and May 2005 when Parliament was dissolved.
Total repayment recommended: £515.76
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £515.76
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Nicholas Gibb - Bognor Regis & Littlehampton
Mr Gibb was overpaid by a total of £780.83 for mortgage interest(2004-05 by £332.95; 2005-06 by £55.73; and 2006-07 by £392.15). T
otal repayment recommended: £780.83
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £780.83
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Charles Hendry - Wealden
Mr Hendry was paid combined cleaning and gardening costs of £3,223.26 in 2005-06, thus exceeding the combined allowable maximum of £3,000 a year by a total of £223.26.
Total repayment recommended: £223.26
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £473.18
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Nick Herbert - Arundel & South Downs
Mr Herbert was over-paid by a total of £988.95 for mortgage interest in 2008-09.
Total repayment recommended: £988.95
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £988.95
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Mr David Lepper - Brighton Pavilion
Mr Lepper has no issues.
Tim Loughton - East Worthing & Shoreham
Mr Loughton was overpaid £1,070.94 for mortgage interest in 2006-07.He was also overpaid £107.94 for the servicing of his boiler in 2008-09.
Total repayment recommended: £1,178.88
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £1,178.88
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Francis Maude - Horsham
Mr Maude has no issues.
Laura Moffatt - Crawley
Ms Moffatt has no issues.
Nicholas Soames - Mid Sussex
Mr Soames was overpaid by £1,345.55 for mortgage interest in 2008-09.
Total repayment recommended: £1,345.55
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £1,345.55
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Des Turner - Brighton Kemptown
Dr Turner was overpaid by a total of £1,930.94 for mortgage interest (£199.48 in 2004-05; £179.85 in 2005-06; £218.59 in 2006-07; £572.01 in 2007-08; and £761.01 in 2008-09). He was also paid a total of £2,476.72 for mortgage payment protection as part of his monthly insurance payments (£593.39 in 2004-05; £651.60 in 2005-06; £706.68 in 2006-07; and £525.05 in 2007-08), which is not allowable under the ACA.
Total repayment recommended: £4,407.66
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £0.00
Balance recommended to be repaid: £4,407.66
Andrew Tyrie Chichester
Mr Tyrie was overpaid by a total of £1,638.99 for mortgage interest in 2008-09.
Total repayment recommended: £1,638.99
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £1,638.99
Balance recommended to be repaid: £0.00
Peter Viggers Gosport
Sir Peter had an arrangement with the Fees Office for periodic payments, on the basis that the total cost of running his second home exceeded the annual allowance.
After allocating costs such as mortgage interest, utilities and specific repairs to each annual allowance, a balance of £15,293.12 was effectively paid for gardening out of the ACA.
This exceeded the allowable maximum by a total of £10,511.62(£1,682.67 in 2004-05; £2,019.60 in 2005-06; £6,395.55 in 2006-07; and £413.80 in 2007-08).
He was also overpaid by £1,637.54 for roof repairs in respect of July 2007.
He was further overpaid by £759.54 for mortgage interest for 2008-09. He was also overpaid by £555.60 for council tax (£387.34 in 2004-05 and £168.26 and 2005-06).
Total repayment recommended: £13,464.30
Reduced on appeal by:£218.50
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £0.00
Balance recommended to be repaid: £13,245.80
Mr Nigel Waterson - Eastbourne
Mr Waterson has no issues.
Ex-MPs
Ivor Caplin - Hove
No reply has been received from Mr Caplin to a number of letters sent to the address held by the House authorities. In default of evidence to support payments for mortgage interest of £17,865.33 for 2004-05 and April 2005, I must regard these payments as having been invalid.
Accordingly my recommendation is that Mr Caplin should repay the whole of this sum.
Total repayment recommended: £17,865.33
Total repayments received since 1 April 2009: £0.00
Balance recommended to be repaid: £17,865.33
Howard Flight - Arundel and South Downs
Mr Flight has no issues.
Comments(37)
Red Hand
says...
12:40pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Failing to respond is just taking the michael bigtime!
heavenscentrose
says...
12:46pm Thu 4 Feb 10
heavenscentrose
says...
1:09pm Thu 4 Feb 10
heavenscentrose wrote:Oh dear, my brain was out of gear - meant to say Yet another Labour gravytrainer exposed!
Yet another Labour gravyboater exposed.
Darling2
says...
1:32pm Thu 4 Feb 10
chroma
says...
1:41pm Thu 4 Feb 10
heavenscentrose wrote:It's right across the political spectrum. Even holier-than-thou, Norman Baker, MP believes he has the right to charge the tax payer £20,000 for renting out his spare room as an office to himself.
heavenscentrose wrote: Yet another Labour gravyboater exposed.Oh dear, my brain was out of gear - meant to say Yet another Labour gravytrainer exposed!
I listened to Tory Ann Widdecombe whinging on Radio 4 about how MPs were being unfairly hounded by Sir Thomas Legg, and that in most instances, nothing wrong had occurred.
What's apparent, is regardless of political orientation, politicans agree on one thing - that the tax payer is ripe for being screwed and had over.
Masterchav
says...
1:46pm Thu 4 Feb 10
And what about Turner?
Both had to repay money. Not a mention from the Argus.
I wonder why? Perhaps it's because a) they are labour supporting and b) their journalists are rubbish.
Voter99
says...
1:54pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Jo Wadsworth
says...
2:07pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Masterchav wrote:Give us a chance masterchav - this is breaking news, so the version you read was just a first draft. More detail, background and related links will be added through the day
And what about Barlow?
And what about Turner?
Both had to repay money. Not a mention from the Argus.
I wonder why? Perhaps it's because a) they are labour supporting and b) their journalists are rubbish.
MarcoPolo
says...
2:24pm Thu 4 Feb 10
pbbrighton
says...
2:46pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Cass
says...
2:58pm Thu 4 Feb 10
oldmarket
says...
3:11pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Voter99 wrote:Why didn't you tell him what you really thought of him?
I remember that SOB coming round to my home asking for my vote years ago he was all sweetness and smiles until I called him a champagne swiilling tax-robbing communist.
MarcoPolo
says...
3:17pm Thu 4 Feb 10
deancoxissexy
says...
3:17pm Thu 4 Feb 10
pbbrighton wrote:It is possible that Mr Caplin has moved house since leaving Parliament - and I'm sure he will come forward now that he knows Sir Thomas is looking for him. However, if Tom wants to get hold of Mr C he could try Withdean Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Brighton BN1 5JD, often in the front row just in front of the Albion directors' box.
Perhaps someone or The Argus could supply Sir Thomas Legg with Mr Caplin's address so that he can get his bill?
Andy R
says...
3:18pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Voter99 wrote:Sorry.....?......Com
I remember that SOB coming round to my home asking for my vote years ago he was all sweetness and smiles until I called him a champagne swiilling tax-robbing communist.
munist?......Ivor???
Are you near a dark room with a bed in it?
pbbrighton
says...
3:23pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Ivor Caplin Consultancy
11/15 William Road,
London NW1 3ER
or perhaps Sir Thomas could get the money owed deducted from his considerable public pension which we all paid towards!
Andy R
says...
3:25pm Thu 4 Feb 10
deancoxissexy wrote:Presumably he could just write c/o Foresight Consulting?
pbbrighton wrote: Perhaps someone or The Argus could supply Sir Thomas Legg with Mr Caplin's address so that he can get his bill?It is possible that Mr Caplin has moved house since leaving Parliament - and I'm sure he will come forward now that he knows Sir Thomas is looking for him. However, if Tom wants to get hold of Mr C he could try Withdean Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Brighton BN1 5JD, often in the front row just in front of the Albion directors' box.
Jo Wadsworth
says...
3:29pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Andy R wrote:Thanks for your suggestions - we're doing our best to speak to Mr Caplin today, and we'll let you know how we got on tomorrow.
deancoxissexy wrote:Presumably he could just write c/o Foresight Consulting?
pbbrighton wrote: Perhaps someone or The Argus could supply Sir Thomas Legg with Mr Caplin's address so that he can get his bill?It is possible that Mr Caplin has moved house since leaving Parliament - and I'm sure he will come forward now that he knows Sir Thomas is looking for him. However, if Tom wants to get hold of Mr C he could try Withdean Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Brighton BN1 5JD, often in the front row just in front of the Albion directors' box.
washpot
says...
4:23pm Thu 4 Feb 10
they are all patronising leeches. throw the lot of them out
Fight Back
says...
4:40pm Thu 4 Feb 10
TheInsider
says...
6:52pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Became an MP, stole from us then when we ask for the money back, he refuses to answer the post. Astonishing.
Send the bailiffs around.
The MPs which have served this country for the past few years will go down as the most shameful in history.
There was always philandering but this has been abuse of position and theft while most people are losing their jobs, failing to get health care, poor schools. What did Blair's thieving mates actually give us.
Next time he's at Withdean, why not give ivor 'Craplin' a boo.
Gaz the great
says...
7:02pm Thu 4 Feb 10
TheInsider
says...
7:50pm Thu 4 Feb 10
You would never, ever know he was a Labour MP. He is like an old fashioned Tory. Posh, arrogant and pinstriped with no time for commoners.
I guess there is little difference between them anymore and it became hard to tell the parties and MPs apart.
stan bailey
says...
8:20pm Thu 4 Feb 10
TheInsider wrote:Whayever happen to the lib dem. MP was he called Bellotti? and the football stadium.
Pig ignorant and arrogant.
Became an MP, stole from us then when we ask for the money back, he refuses to answer the post. Astonishing.
Send the bailiffs around.
The MPs which have served this country for the past few years will go down as the most shameful in history.
There was always philandering but this has been abuse of position and theft while most people are losing their jobs, failing to get health care, poor schools. What did Blair's thieving mates actually give us.
Next time he's at Withdean, why not give ivor 'Craplin' a boo.
Gaz the great
says...
8:22pm Thu 4 Feb 10
TheInsider wrote:I have, once or twice, plus Norman Baker. Due to the nature of my work during the eighties, met a lot of politicians & yes, you knew Labour & Tory straight away, but as you quite rightly point out, the only difference now is one was educated in a top scottish univeristy & the other two went to Eton, the leader of the Libs being a Tory in that time.
Gaz....have you ever met Ivor. You would never, ever know he was a Labour MP. He is like an old fashioned Tory. Posh, arrogant and pinstriped with no time for commoners. I guess there is little difference between them anymore and it became hard to tell the parties and MPs apart.
CaptainKirk
says...
8:29pm Thu 4 Feb 10
heavenscentrose wrote:Erm actually if you go to the bbc website and sort the table of expenses by amount owed you'll see that for the highest amounts 8 out of the top 9 and 14 out of the top 17 are tories, despite the fact there are currently far less tories than labour in the commons. Makes you think.
heavenscentrose wrote: Yet another Labour gravyboater exposed.Oh dear, my brain was out of gear - meant to say Yet another Labour gravytrainer exposed!
TheInsider
says...
9:59pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Where are the ordinary MPs who grew up in rented or council houses in the 1970s or went to schools which were put into special measures because they were so awful; or who have been out of work every time a darned government puts the country into recession?
You wont find one. They are all posh, they are all out of touch which is why the schools are still crap, why ordinary estates are full of crime, why we can't get NHS treatment...the list goes on.
Out of touch.
D Merrett
says...
11:09pm Thu 4 Feb 10
Zamora25
says...
4:57am Fri 5 Feb 10
In the case of MPs and bank managers it is not as if they aren't well enough off already! It's like they're taking the mickey!
kayotic
says...
7:09am Fri 5 Feb 10
Fight Back wrote:I think it's a crying shame that this poor man is being hounded because it sounds as though he has Alzheimer's if he has to ask people if they know who he is.
he's full of his own importance so don't expect to respond or pay anytime soon. I was working at an event once that he came to and I asked to see his ticket - his reply ? "Do you know who I am ?" - his son was very embarressed !
Mr Lahey
says...
12:34pm Fri 5 Feb 10
And
Pompous
Leacher
Inspires
No-One
Mr Lahey
says...
2:07pm Fri 5 Feb 10
TheInsider wrote:There was John Prescott, he's always cited as an example of why the working man shouldn't get into politics. I disagree with you on the NHS front though.
Yes, it not only how they speak - they are all posh - what they say is all the same. Where are the ordinary MPs who grew up in rented or council houses in the 1970s or went to schools which were put into special measures because they were so awful; or who have been out of work every time a darned government puts the country into recession? You wont find one. They are all posh, they are all out of touch which is why the schools are still crap, why ordinary estates are full of crime, why we can't get NHS treatment...the list goes on. Out of touch.
BrightonBoy
says...
2:26pm Fri 5 Feb 10
Some of these MP's only earn £60k a year which is sod all.
And yes i do earn more than that and i do get expenses !
deancoxissexy
says...
5:50pm Fri 5 Feb 10
sussexone
says...
11:24am Thu 11 Feb 10
oldmarket wrote:lol classic!
Voter99 wrote: I remember that SOB coming round to my home asking for my vote years ago he was all sweetness and smiles until I called him a champagne swiilling tax-robbing communist.Why didn't you tell him what you really thought of him?
I had a Green party numpty round at my door 2 wks ago, telling me they needed my vote in the Pavilion ward to stop the Tories getting in, should have seen the smile disappear when I said I was voting Tory this time round! hahahaha!
Mind you, the Bible bashers are even better, they won't take no for an asnwer & bugg*r off unless you tell em you're a devil worshipper LOL!
sussexone
says...
11:27am Thu 11 Feb 10
Jo Wadsworth wrote:Gosh, we do like Jo Wadsworth, someone who listens to people, Jo for Prime Minister? :o)
Andy R wrote:Thanks for your suggestions - we're doing our best to speak to Mr Caplin today, and we'll let you know how we got on tomorrow.deancoxissexy wrote:Presumably he could just write c/o Foresight Consulting?pbbrighton wrote: Perhaps someone or The Argus could supply Sir Thomas Legg with Mr Caplin's address so that he can get his bill?It is possible that Mr Caplin has moved house since leaving Parliament - and I'm sure he will come forward now that he knows Sir Thomas is looking for him. However, if Tom wants to get hold of Mr C he could try Withdean Stadium, Tongdean Lane, Brighton BN1 5JD, often in the front row just in front of the Albion directors' box.
chroma says...
12:35pm Thu 4 Feb 10