Julie Kirkbride: attacks on me deter aspiring women MPs
Julie Kirkbride claimed £1,040 for photoshoots, during which this shot was taken
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Philip Webster, Political Editor
In the Times article she says: “Because of the size of our home in Bromsgrove, Angus had been sharing a bedroom with his uncle. We felt that, as a growing boy, he’d soon want his own space — so we needed to remortgage to build another bedroom.”
Ms Kirkbride insisted that the change had been approved by the Commons Fees Office but critics will point out that the change meant that she was being paid about an extra £1,600 a year in interest because of the bigger mortgage.
Another Conservative was under fire last night as it emerged that Sir John Butterfill, MP for Bournemouth West, paid no capital gains tax when he sold a property designated as his second home after telling Revenue& Customs that the property was his primary residence.
Before selling his six-bedroom house in Woking, Surrey, in 2005, the property was designated as his second home to the parliamentary authorities and he submitted numerous claims for it under the second home allowance. He claimed £17,000 on servants’ quarters alone. A small flat in his Bournemouth constituency, bought for £56,000, was designated as his main home.
However, when he sold the Woking property for £1.2 million, he told the Revenue that it was his primary residence, making it exempt from capital gains tax. Sir John agreed yesterday to refund more than £20,000 for the claims he made for a staff annexe on the Woking home and repairs on the Bournemouth flat, making his repayments the highest of any MP to date.
Yesterday Ms Kirkbride received support again from David Cameron, the Conservative leader, but he admitted that she had questions to answer. She is under pressure from the party’s grassroots, with a poll by the ConservativeHome website finding that an overwhelming majority believe that she should go. About 5,000 constituents have signed a petition demanding her exit.
Since her husband, Andrew MacKay, announced that he was standing down over second-home expenses claims on their London property, the focus has switched to Ms Kirkbride. There were disclosures first that her brother, Ian, often stays at her constituency home, then that he had bought electrical goods for her on her expenses. Finally it emerged that the MP had paid her sister £12,000 from allowances for secretarial work.
In The Times she explains that her bachelor brother lives on an investment income and that since the birth of her son, Angus, in 2000 he has acted as a carer for him. “On occasion I have dropped Angus with Ian at a motorway exit in order to make my appointments on time. By the time I get back Angus is tucked up in bed.”
She adds: “Money cannot buy that kind of out-of-office-hours childcare.”
Her brother, she writes, also provides free technical support for her website, though she denies claims that he runs an IT business from her home. Her sister, she adds, had worked part-time for her for many years.
It has also emerged that Ms Kirkbride claimed £1,040 for two photoshoots in 2004 and 2006. In one of the sets of photos she is seen in various poses beside a bale of hay. Ms Kirkbride said last night that she still hoped to stand at the next election.
Nick Clegg, the Liberal Democrat leader, said last night that MPs should be banned from taking summer holidays until “every nook and cranny” of the system was reformed.
He said: “I’m setting out a plan of action to get all the changes we need delivered in just 100 days — making it possible for MPs to be sacked by their constituents, abolishing the House of Lords, getting corrupt money out of politics and changing the electoral system to give a voice to everyone.”
- Have your say
David Masu, Zürich, Switzerland
Someone please prise Julie Kirkbride’s fingers from the trough as her saga is getting painful. Every time she tries to defend her greedy actions another banana skin comes along.
The expenses rules were stupid and some M.P.s exploited them to the utmost-making hay while the sun shone.
Geoff Mitchell, Fochabers, Scotland
Very good to have such care for her son…BUT…why should
the tax-payer meet the cost. Julie Kirkbride has no chance
of survival as MP.
John Monaghan, Glossop, UK
Philipp Senge, London, UK
why a photoshoot for who’s benefit
beliz, london, london
David Cameron has just lost my confidence
I find it quite appalling that he can support people who have taken advantage of the system.
Roll on the next general election when we will be able to select MP’s with a clean record.
clive butcher, Sudbury, uk
Unbelievable that she has the brass neck to think she can stay an MP!!!! Does she inhabit the planet Zog ?
Dr.Stuart M. Brown, Rickmansworth, UK
If this is going to deter greedy selfish women like Kirkbride running for parliament all well and good.
jonboy, wadduwa, sri lanka
These people are so out of touch. Now I understand why the myriad of new rules and fines are put through so easily. sickening.
Richard, London, uk
Wouldn’t she need childcare even if had another job? I work long hours too+ pay for my own childcare- what makes MPs different? I don’t think this will put women off-£65,000/year, bills, food etc paid for you + extension to allow live-in childcare +childcare costs- sounds like a good deal to me!
Jen, Perth, Scotland
Living in Bromsgrove&a working mother,I have always wondered how anyone combines motherhood with being an MP and family would be the only way.Julie is an excellent MP( from someone who didnt vote for her)She is responsive and active in the Constituency.The campaign against her is not
representative
Jane, Bromsgrove, England
Be very, very afraid. At this rate, we’ll have no dishonest gougers in Parliament … AT ALL!
Angela , Epping,
As Dennis Skinner might say: “Resign!”
J Briggs, Huddersfield, UK
Her position is untenable and she must go. Cameron needs to be a bit more brutal with these folk.
John Harris, Winchester, UK
That’s a cheap shot – though nothing is cheap from our politicians these days – ‘deter mothers’.
What an insult to honest hard-working mothers. The truth is we’ve been sold a pup. ‘Wimmin’ were suppose to be a civilising agent. Blairs babes are just as odious as the men. Follet Smith, Blears et al.
Paul Mack, Paisley, Scotland
Im sorry Im not buying this. I dont see how these accusations (not attacks – she is just trying to personalise them & gain sympathy) would deter anyone. She is rather lamely playing the sex card. I dont think there is an issue with employing family but not paying Capital Gains reeks & that has clung
Simon, London, UK
Those organising the “Get rid of Julie” campaign certainly do not look like Conservative voters. Labour up to its old tricks again.
Liz, Basingstoke , England
With two large salaries coming into the home I don’t see why they should expect the taxpayer to fund their childcare. Anyone else with their income would be expected to fund it themselves.If she thinks that questioning her expenses is going to deter women from going into politics – rubbish
pat, tremolat, france
The chutzpah is impressive, but we already new she had a cheek.
Eric West, London,
Get real! Mrs Kirkbride. I brought up a family, looked after a sick husband AND worked full time – all without milking the tax payer for as much as a penny piece.
AutumnWitch, Leicester, UK
To Pete in Monmouth.
Self employed people claim expenses duly approved by their accountant and the revenue. The money is self-earned, the accountants services paid by the claimant. No pot of public money is raided.
Mrs Kirkbride and Co have been caught out, cut the arrogance and apologise or go.
Philip, Chester, UK
It borders on instability and desperation to say that Mrs Kirkbride is a martyr for women and valid criticisms of her behaviour are misplaced. Other than the logic is ridiculous do we want to encourage women who think it is OK to use the system in this way to become MPs?
James, London, UK
Butterfill and Kirkbride must go. I am an honest taxpayer and expect our Parliamentary taxpayers to be the same.
David, Poole,
Phil Austin, you say Kirkbride falling on her sword honourably?
I say , my grandson is 7 years old, he will be 77 before Kirkbride does the honourable thing and go.
Sam Simmonite, Bath, U.K.
I do not believe a husband-and-wife team claimed for two secondary residence (as here) without them discussing it, which makes both equally guilty of taking the taxpayers for a ride. The other card she seems to be playing is blaming her husband for everything – nice strategy, but not credible.
David, Aberdeen,
What a scandalous disservice you do to all decent women working hard to make a success of the careers. Your sanctimonious and incredulous posturing does nothing to support your protestations. Why do you expect the British taxpayers to support your lifestyle choices? Most of us get by on a salary.
Ray George, Bristol , UK
“more difficult to claim tax credits so that the taxpayer can have confidence that the system pays people who deserve it rather than those who do not? “
This was Miss Kirkbride in Feb 2009.When she was questioning “scams” and “tax credits”. I wonder who she could have been referring to?
Ray George, Bristol , UK
”Julie Kirkbride: Attacks on me deter aspiring women”
Don’t play that card.
It’s you that have let Britain and British women down.
The Police need to be sent in to investigate, not just the taxpayer.
K. Urban, London, UK
I have a large family in the UK, where I worked myself for 20+yrs. We have all been lucky enough to work and not require benefits of any kind. I thought our tax was for schools, the less well off etc – we didn’t work to pay for other people’s house extensions and photo shoots! Money back please!!
lizzie, Singapore,
Julie must stay. The Bromsgrove petiton has got this one wrong and will be throwing away one of the most talented and hardworking MP’s in the Country. Not all the expenses have been that different from what self employed people claim on. Just change the rules and drop the witch hunt.
Pete, Monmouth, Gwent
Mrs Kirkbride. I’m sure that all your arrangements are for honourable purposes. Were I to make similar arrangements, I’d have to fund them out of taxed income – and in some cases be taxed twice on them. What is special about you that I should pay for you, too ? You’re supposed to be a Tory. Go.
D Murphy, Skipton,
Since when was being an MP ‘a job?’ in its own right?
Ive always thought the notion of representing your local folk and their concerns at the heart of democracy to be a civic duty, a Vocation!
Any MP who calls it a ‘job’needs to be examined and put before the local selection commitee again.
Phil Austin, Husbands Bosworth, Albion
Margaret, billingham, uk
Maybe he’s not supporting her, per se?
Maybe he’s giving her the chance to fall on her sword honourably?
Phil Austin, Husbands Bosworth, Albion
Why does David Cameron continue to support her when the couple were completely milking the expenses system. How can you trust that he will reform the system when he supports her. This just gets worse the more we hear about it. Very poor leadership and judgement. He needs to sack them both.
Margaret, billingham, uk
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