Tory resigns over MP's refusal to explain expenses (From Echo)

Tory resigns over MP's refusal to explain expenses

11:02am Wednesday 16th September 2009 in Search By Jon Austin

A TORY councillor has resigned after Billericay MP John Baron refused to explain a 40 per cent rise in his mortgage interest claim.

John Dornan stepped down as deputy chairman of Billericay East Conservative Association after Mr Baron backed out of explaining the increase, which emerged during this year’s MPs’ expenses row.

Mr Dornan, a councillor for Laindon Park, left the post following the association’s executive meeting.

Mr Baron had agreed to explain all to the chairman, councillor Andrew Baggott, who held a vote on the matter at the meeting.

A number of members voted for an explanation, but the majority did not, so the issue was not discussed.

Mr Dornan said: “I am making no comment other than to say I have resigned my position as deputy chairman.”

But a Tory source told the Echo: “Mr Dornan and a few others voted for the explanation.

They were not happy.”

Since MPs’ expenses were published, there have been calls for Mr Baron to say why payments for his second home in Noak Bridge rose from £860 to £1,205 a month in 2004 following a £200 claim for “mortgage services”.

It had risen to £1,415 a month by 2007/08.

Association stalwart councillor Frank Tomlin said he was disappointed Mr Dornan had resigned.

He said: “I am disappointed he saw fit to resign, it was to do with a range of things.

“Mr Baggott said he has been through the whole lot with John Baron and told me, as far as he is concerned, he is as clean as a whistle.”

Mr Baggott said: “My view is that you trust an MP or not. It is equivalent to a vote of no confidence if every time a newspaper asks a question, there needs to be an inquiry.”

The Echo left a phone message for Mr Baron but he failed to respond at the time of going to press.