Tories question Southend MP's expenses

3:00pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Local News

David Amess David Amess

SENIOR Tories in Southend have raised question marks over David Amess’s expenses claims.

The Tory MP for Southend West hit the headlines last week after it was revealed he was renting out his second home in London while billing taxpayers £1,570 a month to stay elsewhere in the capital.

The revelations have drawn the ire of dozens of commuters in Southend, who use the town’s two train lines to travel to work in London every day.

When asked to comment by the Echo, several members of the town’s Tory group also admitted they had concerns.

James Courtenay, the Tory councillor responsible for education at Southend Council, said:

“His arrangements are not against the rules. “Whether those rules are fit for purpose is a good question.

“I can understand the argument for his arrangements, but it’s perhaps fair to say it does seem a little excessive.”

Another Tory councillor, who asked not to be named for fear of causing rifts in the party, said: “I believe the real problem is the impression it gives out.

“This is a commuter town, and this doesn’t give the right impression.”

Mr Amess said he had been open and transparent at all times and pointed out his claims did not break Parliamentary rules.

Comments (16)

3:12pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Tel478 says...

The guy is disliked across the town - his mug is in every photo opportunity in the local rags. He does himself no favours with this, within the rules or not
The guy is disliked across the town - his mug is in every photo opportunity in the local rags. He does himself no favours with this, within the rules or not Tel478

3:17pm Thu 25 Oct 12

EstuaryView says...

It's frankly disgusting that Amess should do this.

Yet, I have read somewhere that James Duddridge has TWO London flats (one of which he refurbished at taxpayers' expense before renting it out) and he still rents one for himself (from another MP) rent paid by... you guessed, the taxpayer.

I think these sponging MP's should either commute (like their constituents) or pay for their own accommodation in London.
It's frankly disgusting that Amess should do this. Yet, I have read somewhere that James Duddridge has TWO London flats (one of which he refurbished at taxpayers' expense before renting it out) and he still rents one for himself (from another MP) rent paid by... you guessed, the taxpayer. I think these sponging MP's should either commute (like their constituents) or pay for their own accommodation in London. EstuaryView

3:18pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Eric Whim says...

remember all this at election time.


Remember you get what you vote for so are the West Southend folk he is purported to represent happy with this oleaginous grasper?
remember all this at election time. Remember you get what you vote for so are the West Southend folk he is purported to represent happy with this oleaginous grasper? Eric Whim

3:25pm Thu 25 Oct 12

SUFC1906 says...

Don't forget they can't commute like everyone else as there's no first class on C2C or One & that would force these 2 MP's to come into contact with plebs. Can't have that & the Royal Train is'nt available to pick them up from Southend.
Don't forget they can't commute like everyone else as there's no first class on C2C or One & that would force these 2 MP's to come into contact with plebs. Can't have that & the Royal Train is'nt available to pick them up from Southend. SUFC1906

3:27pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Leighdweller says...

Let the deselction begin...

BUT, as I said in other posts, wait for the outrage over his office closure costs and other associated costs he's 'entitled to'!
Let the deselction begin... BUT, as I said in other posts, wait for the outrage over his office closure costs and other associated costs he's 'entitled to'! Leighdweller

4:23pm Thu 25 Oct 12

shallotman says...

Let me have a wild guess David. It is within the rules.
Let me have a wild guess David. It is within the rules. shallotman

4:38pm Thu 25 Oct 12

firedog says...

Piggy! piggy!
Piggy! piggy! firedog

6:02pm Thu 25 Oct 12

John T Pharro says...

Oh dear and the "Mail" highlighted Labour MPs. What ever Party if they can milk the system legally or not those that do have no morals at all.
Oh dear and the "Mail" highlighted Labour MPs. What ever Party if they can milk the system legally or not those that do have no morals at all. John T Pharro

6:04pm Thu 25 Oct 12

ontheblink says...

What do you expect from the man who spoke against the airport expansion, but when it happened made sure he was in the publicity photos.
What do you expect from the man who spoke against the airport expansion, but when it happened made sure he was in the publicity photos. ontheblink

8:20pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Discouraged says...

If he likes staying in London so much; shouldn't we put him in Brixton, or Wandsworth?
If he likes staying in London so much; shouldn't we put him in Brixton, or Wandsworth? Discouraged

9:04pm Thu 25 Oct 12

Brunning999 says...

We willy weasel.
We willy weasel. Brunning999

6:46am Fri 26 Oct 12

leighmum says...

If you think things are never going to change, don't give up hope! Check out this new movement:
http://www.democracy
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https://twitter.com/
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com/Democracy2015
If you think things are never going to change, don't give up hope! Check out this new movement: http://www.democracy 2015.co.uk/ https://twitter.com/ Democracy2015 http://www.facebook. com/Democracy2015 leighmum

10:00am Fri 26 Oct 12

Eric Whim says...

SENIOR Tories in Southend have raised question marks over David Amess’s expenses claims.


they asked why they were so small....
[quote]SENIOR Tories in Southend have raised question marks over David Amess’s expenses claims.[/quote] they asked why they were so small.... Eric Whim

11:40am Fri 26 Oct 12

J-Monroe says...

Sign the petition for a review of MPs expenses. Why should we pay their TV licenses? I accept office and staff costs, I don't accept moat clearance and Laura Ashley curtains... SIGN AND SHARE!

http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/40723
Sign the petition for a review of MPs expenses. Why should we pay their TV licenses? I accept office and staff costs, I don't accept moat clearance and Laura Ashley curtains... SIGN AND SHARE! http://epetitions.di rect.gov.uk/petition s/40723 J-Monroe

2:15pm Fri 26 Oct 12

grippie says...

Mr Amess said he had been open and transparent at all times and pointed out his claims did not break Parliamentary rules.

Oh that's just fine then just squeeze as much as you can out of the system, ethics don't shouldn't come in to it eh? Luckily we don't see much of him 'round here except when there is an election and he leaves the green covered in his burst blue balloons.
Carry on Regardless
Mr Amess said he had been open and transparent at all times and pointed out his claims did not break Parliamentary rules. Oh that's just fine then just squeeze as much as you can out of the system, ethics don't shouldn't come in to it eh? Luckily we don't see much of him 'round here except when there is an election and he leaves the green covered in his burst blue balloons. Carry on Regardless grippie

5:04pm Fri 26 Oct 12

siddymint says...

Senior tories question this but you only have the little boy courtney .
Where are the senior tories ?????

Mr Amess does do some good work but this is a mistake as we live a short distance from london and he should travel like the rest of us.
Perhaps then see some of the problems.

Trouble is he is being advised by poeple like the little boy who have no concept of the real world
Senior tories question this but you only have the little boy courtney . Where are the senior tories ????? Mr Amess does do some good work but this is a mistake as we live a short distance from london and he should travel like the rest of us. Perhaps then see some of the problems. Trouble is he is being advised by poeple like the little boy who have no concept of the real world siddymint

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