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Ex-wife and daughter work for MP Spink
11:19am Friday 1st February 2008
Comments (42)A SOUTH Essex MP has revealed he still employs his ex-wife, who works as his secretary from her home in Dorset.
However, Castle Point MP Bob Spink will not say how much taxpayers' money he pays former wife Janet for her work. The pair divorced in 2002.
Dr Spink also employs his daughter, Charlotte, from south London, in an administrative post.
The father-of-four volunteered the information in the wake of public debate stirred up by the suspension of Derek Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup.
Mr Conway has been accused of misusing public money to employ his son, Freddie, paying him more than £43,000 without being able to prove what work the university student has actually done.
Calling for an independent body to deal with such issues to avoid public confusion, Dr Spink said he had gone to great lengths to ensure all his staffing arrangements were above board and legitimate.
He said: "I employ my daughter, who is in her twenties, and paid her £4,400 this financial year, as a temporary/casual em-ployee.
"She does work compiling address databases for me to correspond with constituents, particularly petitioners, assisting with contributions in Parliament and local publicity, and compiling and reporting to me on local printed media reports.
"I also continue to employ my ex-wife. We have been divorced for some years. She is a professionally qualified secretary and PA."
However, Dr Spink said he would not reveal what he paid his wife from the public purse.
He said: "I am going to make a speech calling for these matters to be made clear for the public.
"The public has every right to know about these things - but Jan isn't interested in having her salary made public.
"She is my most senior staff member and she deals with diary and bulk correspondence work, as well as the normal research and office work. I became an MP in 1992 expressly on the basis that I continued to employ her.
"When we were divorced and Jan moved to Dorset, I got specific clearance from the Fees Office for her continued employment, in Dorset. This arrangement is widely known in my constituency."
Janet Spink, who lives in Wimborne, Dorset - some 150 miles away from Castle Point - said she had no concerns about working with her former husband.
She said: "I trained as a secretary. I am qualified to do the job and have been doing it for a long time.
"I work from home via the internet, as many people do these days. The amount of work I do varies, but I have no need to go to the Commons."
She added: "Bob has a secretary who deals with any constituents' problems."
Your Say YourEcho
Steve, 238-082 says...
11:58am Fri 1 Feb 08
THEN DON'T ASK THE PUBLIC TO PAY FOR IT!
Steve, says...
12:01pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Johnny, My Desk says...
12:05pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Curious, Sleazy and sleazier says...
12:33pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Ian, says...
12:51pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Funny how youve never made it public before isnt it???
Bob Spinks has never made it a secret that family members work for him in his capacity as an MP. As constituents of his my wife and I have met with his wife on several occasions. It is not a case that Bob Spinks has never made it public before, it is more that you have never bother to find out.
Peter Pantsless, Southend-on-Sea says...
1:11pm Fri 1 Feb 08
a) youre also a tory
and
b) you agree with the rest of my post!
Happy®, A.B.C. says...
1:43pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Why does it always seem to be the Torys that are at the centre of some sleaze/scandal ???
Mandelson.
Geoffrey Robinson.
Blunkett.
Hain
Wendy Alexander.
Harriet Harman.
John Prescott.
Lord Hoyle 31/1/2008
Guido has tried to find out what punishment was meted out to Lord Hoyle yesterday. He was in trouble for getting caught taking undeclared cash-for-access from lobbyists for arms dealers to meet with the Defence Procurement Minister.
Terry Mann.
Ken Livingstone.
Abrahams.
The Smith Institute. Secretive charity that has funded Gordon Brown and Ed Balls currently being investigated by the Charities comm.
Lord Levy.
Speaker martin and his wife.
At the moment there are two police investigations into Labour sleaze as well as the electoral commission, standards board and parliamentary committees looking into labour activities.
Didn't Blair, or was it the snot gobbling Brown who said they would be "whiter than white"?
After 11 years of arrogance and corruption this Labour government should be kicked out and soon.
Ethan, nr Dole Farm says...
2:03pm Fri 1 Feb 08
The Hinduja brothers express passport service via Blun(der)kit.
Bernie Ecclestones £1m Tobacco let off.
Cash for Peerages.
Loans (aka Gifts to Nu Liars) for Peerages.
Then there is Cheries' charging £100K to an Australian Kiddies Charity for her dubious presence.
Cherie and Bliars Bristol flat purchasing via a convicted fraudster.
In fact just Google 'Labour sleaze' and it returns 569,000 hits....
It's a service this is.
Not to mention the out and out false hoods (lies)uttered by Labour Ministers.
Dodgy dossiers.
WMD -'Words of Mass Disinformation' er thats Weapons of Mass Destruction that is.
Everything to do with ID Cards.
Everything to do with Speeding - 4% = One third etc.
Everything to do with High Petrol Tax - Blair says' "its to pay for baybees' etc".
Stealing Council tax money from the South to give to Labour constituencies.
And my favourite...yes you will get an EU referendum ....oh sorry no you won't.
The sheer brass neck of these labour supporters is astonishing!
There is loads more ..if you need it.
Happy®, A.B.C. says...
2:14pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Thanks, my list was off the top of my head without too much research.
And don't get me started about the Barnett Formula.
James, says...
2:58pm Fri 1 Feb 08
In the case of Conway, who brought this to the public notice, he was paying his sons for work they could not possibly do (due to the fact they were at University or partying).
In my view there is no reason not to employ members of your family as long as it is for a fair wage for a fair days work, it happens in all businesses and organisations.
Regarding the disclosure of salary, how would you like your employer to detail how much you receive as remuneration ?
Whilst in a number of areas there are questions to be asked regarding MP's expenses as a whole I find it difficult to complain about someone who is using the skills available to him in his immediate circle.
Crooked MP, House of Commons says...
3:26pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Happy® wrote:Don't forget Ken jasper either.
Why does it always seem to be the Torys that are at the centre of some sleaze/scandal ???Mandelson. Geoffrey Robinson. Blunkett. Hain Wendy Alexander. Harriet Harman. John Prescott. Lord Hoyle 31/1/2008 Guido has tried to find out what punishment was meted out to Lord Hoyle yesterday. He was in trouble for getting caught taking undeclared cash-for-access from lobbyists for arms dealers to meet with the Defence Procurement Minister. Terry Mann. Ken Livingstone. Abrahams. The Smith Institute. Secretive charity that has funded Gordon Brown and Ed Balls currently being investigated by the Charities comm. Lord Levy. Speaker martin and his wife. At the moment there are two police investigations into Labour sleaze as well as the electoral commission, standards board and parliamentary committees looking into labour activities. Didn't Blair, or was it the snot gobbling Brown who said they would be "whiter than white"? After 11 years of arrogance and corruption this Labour government should be kicked out and soon.
Tessa Jowell and her hubby...
the undertaker, crays hill says...
3:36pm Fri 1 Feb 08
The answer to the first question is crystal clear. The Tories allowed Conway to be hung out to dry because they feared media interest in his activities could have spread to a great many others, including more prominent Tory MPs particularly those claiming huge amounts of Additional Claims Allowance (ACA), for no apparently good reason other than to bankroll personal property investment activities in London. This, in turn, partly answers the second question. The reason why Labour MPs have not trampled the Tories into the dust over the Conway affair is simply because so many of them are doing exactly the same thing - claiming ACA without just cause! And, like many a Tory, they are equally desperate to conceal their activities from the public, knowing that they simply cannot reasonably justify their ACA claiming!.
The claiming of ACA under such circumstances is not, of course, illegal but MPs know that it would be perceived as immoral and acutely embarrassing to boot, by the public at large. Hence their determination to keep the detail of what many regard to be a multi-million pound scam secret. No wonder then that the Lib-Lab-Cons dont want to see an escalation of media interest but do want to see a quick burying of the Conway affair. It simply would not be good for the reputation (such as it is) of The House that details of what many consider to be the institutional abuse of Parliamentary privilege, should become public! Parliamentary expediency not only explains why Derek Conway has, in many eyes, been let off so lightly by the House of Commons authorities but also the indecent haste demonstrated by fellow Honourable Members in seeking to bury this revealing episode!.
To illustrate the point somewhat, the following are quotations taken from a BBC report that may be read, in full: here . .
Quote: Sir George hit back at criticisms that the Commons authorities had not come down hard enough on Mr Conway, saying judgements can have serious and far reaching consequences for those who breach the rules. He said the committee had decided not to report Mr Conways actions to the police and the question of whether MPs should be allowed to employ family members was a debate for another day. Unquote. .
Quote: Theresa May said Mr Conways suspension was needed in order to protect the reputation of the Commons. Labour former minister Frank Field said he thought there should be stronger sanctions and said it was difficult to think how much lower our collective reputation might sink in the eyes of the public. Unquote. .
Quote: Later Mr Harvey, who sits on the Commons Commission, told the BBC that a regular spot check would help uncover bogus arrangements and said if MPs were to publicly register any relatives working for them, it could offer reassurance. However he said a total ban on children or spouses working for MPs was not a runner - nor was publishing the pay of people on pretty modest incomes. He said most relatives working for MPs were generally people of very high calibre who worked very long hours and actually the taxpayer gets thumping good value from them. Unquote. .
With apologies to Sir Winston Churchill: Never in the history of The House has so much money been so dubiously claimed from so many by so few!
Ian G, Southend says...
3:51pm Fri 1 Feb 08
The fact is that just about all allegations against Labour ministers are about failing to declare third party donations properly. Im not condoning any of them if theyre actually proven guilty. However none of them, not a single one, involve misappropriating taxpayers money for personal gain. That is what Conway did, and thats in a very different moral class as far as Im concerned. I think people most people, excluding the Tory spin merchants who are going into overdrive here, think the same way and thats why this story has dominated the press for the past few days.
Duke of Rhodesia, Rhodesia says...
3:56pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Ian G wrote:I think you'll find that most people were pointing out that Labour are the experts on corruption at the moment, Labour Luvvie.
I notice the Tories are out in force here trying desperately to defect blame onto Labour, following the principle that if you sling enough mud, some of it will stick. The fact is that just about all allegations against Labour ministers are about failing to declare third party donations properly. Im not condoning any of them if theyre actually proven guilty. However none of them, not a single one, involve misappropriating taxpayers money for personal gain. That is what Conway did, and thats in a very different moral class as far as Im concerned. I think people most people, excluding the Tory spin merchants who are going into overdrive here, think the same way and thats why this story has dominated the press for the past few days.
For a party that got into power on the back of condoning Tory sleaze it's doing a pretty good job of showing the Tories that they were amateurs when it comes to lies and corruption.
The only people who vote for Labour these days are the Geordies and the Scousers.
the undertaker, crays hill says...
4:05pm Fri 1 Feb 08
And all the immigrants on the fleece uk gravy train.
acid_jim, says...
4:08pm Fri 1 Feb 08
none of them, not a single one, involve misappropriating taxpayers money
So far, that is. I bet if you look close enough you'll find that it's common practise for MPs to employ family in their constituency office.
As for the list of labour sleazies, you can match each of those with at least ten tories. I guess the point there is that they're all as bad as each other.
Is there really such a thing as a totally honest politician? I doubt it, not if they're serious about being elected.
evilc, essex says...
4:20pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Lets have a dictatorship at least we will empty the prisons of murderers and illegal immigrant criminals.
I propose me for the leader!
I want Jeremey Clarkson as my number 2.
I want the schoolgirl in the Ryan air advert as my no 3 and 4.
At least we would get things done without the PC crap!!
Any chance of a seconder please!!
Ian G, Southend says...
4:24pm Fri 1 Feb 08
the undertaker wrote:That'll be news to people in Basildon and Thurrock who've had the good sense to elect Labour MPs for ages now.
The only people who vote for Labour these days are the Geordies and the Scousers.
And all the immigrants on the fleece uk gravy train.
Duke of Rhodesia, Rhodesia says...
4:47pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Ian G wrote:That's only two wards and everyone knows that most people in Basildon and Thurrock are a bit thick and full of council estate scroungers - the kind of people Labour love.
the undertaker wrote: The only people who vote for Labour these days are the Geordies and the Scousers. And all the immigrants on the fleece uk gravy train.That'll be news to people in Basildon and Thurrock who've had the good sense to elect Labour MPs for ages now.
Sorry, Ian, but Labour are about the most corrupt and sleazy bunch of crooks this side of Zimbabwe.
Admitting to voting Labour is like admitting that you've got a mental illness.
Furry Alligator, Wallopatopia says...
4:49pm Fri 1 Feb 08
evilc wrote:You want Jeremy Clarkson up your number 2?
I have had enough of this democracy crap. Lets have a dictatorship at least we will empty the prisons of murderers and illegal immigrant criminals. I propose me for the leader! I want Jeremey Clarkson as my number 2. I want the schoolgirl in the Ryan air advert as my no 3 and 4. At least we would get things done without the PC crap!! Any chance of a seconder please!!
Ooo, behave!
Doughnut, Benfleet says...
5:21pm Fri 1 Feb 08
budgie, pitsea exile says...
7:10pm Fri 1 Feb 08
scarpa, pitsea says...
7:46pm Fri 1 Feb 08
APR, Benfleet says...
10:42pm Fri 1 Feb 08
Ok I know Mr Spink isn't self-employed, but there is no evidence to suggest that he has done anything wrong.
You shouldn't make accusations against him or anyone else, unless you can prove your allegations.
Ethan, uk nr dole farm says...
11:04pm Fri 1 Feb 08
budgie wrote:Yeah they haven't sent there own to prison..yet. They prefer to look the other way. Which is actually worse.
The tories are well known for their greed and sleeze. Ok Labour has made some mistakes but no one has bent sent to prison like the ex-tories. It's engrained in their silver-spooned, public schoolboy culture. Look at Cameron, what a slick-haired c*&t. What does that ex-Etonian know about life? F%$k all that's what. The Tories are all about greed....pull the ladder up Jack.
Wait and see. Hain will walk because the CPS will be told to lay off him.
Nu Liebour = Old hypocrites.
Harriet Harperson has broken the law but remains in office. Is that good for you?
There's plenty of smoke about Nu Liebour these days they're just ignoring the flames at the moment.
11 years of corruption and greed - go on vote for more of it why don't you. Just don't complain when your council tax trebles or we're given away to the EU without the promised vote.
Fred Freispracher, Basildon says...
11:43pm Fri 1 Feb 08
the undertaker wrote:I'm a Conservative (although the inept wallies we have in Basildon do try my patience), but you need to stop talking rot.
The only people who vote for Labour these days are the Geordies and the Scousers.
And all the immigrants on the fleece uk gravy train.
Change of subject, slightly, but does anyone else think it's rather decent of Spink to hire his ex?
Ivan, Taiwanese Jail says...
1:00am Sat 2 Feb 08
evilc, essex says...
7:57am Sat 2 Feb 08
budgie wrote:Is that pull the ladder up from the parasitic Council House area of Pitsea?
The tories are well known for their greed and sleeze. Ok Labour has made some mistakes but no one has bent sent to prison like the ex-tories. It's engrained in their silver-spooned, public schoolboy culture. Look at Cameron, what a slick-haired c*&t. What does that ex-Etonian know about life? F%$k all that's what. The Tories are all about greed....pull the ladder up Jack.
I for one would be only to pleased to pull it up and leave the benefit scroungers to lead and pay for their own existence, I am fed up paying for the immigrants and benefit scroungers created by this closet communist Government.
Kipper, SS8 says...
9:44am Sat 2 Feb 08
/GREEN ITS THE ONLY WAY!!!!
v.oter, UK says...
5:53pm Sat 2 Feb 08
Or will he just be allowed to slink away into the shadows ?
Cliff Brunt, Hadleigh says...
8:59pm Sat 2 Feb 08
Pigsy, Hadleigh says...
12:44am Sun 3 Feb 08
ShipShape, Basildonk says...
10:13am Sun 3 Feb 08
R.Rowe, canvey Island says...
12:38pm Sun 3 Feb 08
Paul Pryde, says...
1:08pm Sun 3 Feb 08
Dave the Rave, Essex says...
4:01pm Sun 3 Feb 08
ShipShape wrote:I believe that was a quotation by Johnathan Aitken Tory Mp/Junior minister when he was accused by the press in the cash for questions scandal, the one that also embroiled Neil Hamilton MP.
It\\\'s quarter past ten in the morning, mate.
I believe Aitken did some "bird" for perjury. As did Geoffrey Archer (also for perjury).
It seems a bit odd that Dr Spink pays his ex-wife (or rather we pay his ex-wife), while he is allegedly somewhat "loved up" with a Tory councillor?
Happy®, A.B.C. says...
4:55pm Sun 3 Feb 08
It seems a bit odd that Dr Spink pays his ex-wife (or rather we pay his ex-wife), while he is allegedly somewhat "loved up" with a Tory councillor?
Er Wrong!
That little amour is over, dead and buried.
But the taxpayers money going to his ex-wife may need a little more investigating, it may not be as clear cut as
it seems.
jay, says...
5:29pm Sun 3 Feb 08
allegedly somewhat "loved up" with a Tory councillor
blimey, you mean he's been giving Ray Howard one? I thought old Ray was walking a bit funny lately. I thought it was something to do with chickens.
AndyPandy, Benfleet says...
5:50pm Sun 3 Feb 08
Mark, Benfleet says...
12:39am Mon 4 Feb 08
The real problem is that one of Dr.Bob's "employees" was doing her A levels at the same time! This has gone national now so Dr.Bob is in deep doo-doo.
This would explain why he has suddenly started supporting the local Tory initiative to sell off the housing stock. Make the most of it Wendy, he'll do whatever you want right now.
Duke of Rhodesia, says...
10:01am Mon 4 Feb 08
Dave the Rave wrote:Labour councillors have ended up inside - mostly for vote rigging up North.
ShipShape wrote: It\\\'s quarter past ten in the morning, mate.I believe that was a quotation by Johnathan Aitken Tory Mp/Junior minister when he was accused by the press in the cash for questions scandal, the one that also embroiled Neil Hamilton MP. I believe Aitken did some "bird" for perjury. As did Geoffrey Archer (also for perjury). It seems a bit odd that Dr Spink pays his ex-wife (or rather we pay his ex-wife), while he is allegedly somewhat "loved up" with a Tory councillor?
So it's not just a "Tory" thing to stock up on soap-on-a-rope.
Bob Spink and wife Jane before the divorce
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APR, Benfleet says...
11:24am Fri 1 Feb 08