Michael Trend repays £90,000

Complaints about MPs allowances* were made in 2002. (*Michael Trend - MP for Windsor)

Michael Trend was fighting complaints about his expenses while his constituents flooded!

On 15^th December 2002, the Mail on Sunday published a story alleging that I had for many years been claiming ACA in respect of a London property which did not exist, and when I seldom spent the night in London. This is also the allegation made in the complaints against me submitted to the parliamentary commissioner.

At the earliest opportunity, I checked my arrangements with Mr Archie Cameron of the Fees Office, who confirmed, of course, that all these allegations were false, since I had at no time claimed ACA in respect of any London residence.

In the course of my conversation, Mr Cameron told me that, the Windsor house having become my main residence, I should not have claimed ACA in respect of it. I was dismayed and very upset by this, because I had always acted in good faith in the belief that my conduct was perfectly proper.

However, I accepted what I was told by the Fees Office in December, and determined to put the matter right without delay. I enclose copies of letters exchanged between us, which show that my offer to pay the whole sum was accepted by the Fees Office, and that they now regard the matter as closed. My outstanding account with them has been settled in full.

My mistaken understanding of the effect of the rules concerning ACA was a belief honestly and genuinely held. However, I deeply regret having found myself in this position and have sincerely apologised for it.

House of Commons

Session 2002-03
Publications on the internet
Standards and Privileges Committee Publications

Standards and Privileges - Third Report

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 12 February 2003.

CONTENTS

Terms of Reference

REPORT

APPENDIX Memorandum submitted by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, 10 February 2003

Annex A Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards from Mr Kevin Cochrane, 16 December 2002 Attachment: Articles from The Mail on Sunday, 15 December 2002

Annex B List of complainants in addition to Mr Cochrane

Annex C Briefing note prepared by the Legal Services Office on the Law on Obtaining by Deception, 3 February 2003

Annex D Letter to Mr Michael Trend MP from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, 6 January 2003

Annex E Letter to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards from Mr Michael Trend MP, 21 January 2003

Attachment 1: Letter to the Director of Operations, Department of Finance and Administration, from Mr Michael Trend MP, 19 December 2002

Attachment 2: Letter to Mr Michael Trend MP from the Director of Operations, Department of Finance and Administration, 19 December 2002

Annex F Letter to Mr Michael Trend MP from the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, 22 January 2003