Comments on: Telegraph MP Expenses Spotlight Turns On Andrew Turner: Full Details http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/ VentnorBlog - It's not just about Ventnor! News from the Isle of Wight. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:19:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Don Smith http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-75221 Don Smith Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:02:18 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-75221 Most people do not have hospitality perks, there are far too many; it must be nice to have your bar bill paid for. Then asking for your food to be added to the bill could suggest that you work at Westminster or the House of Lords; even at the Council, perhaps! Most people do not have hospitality perks, there are far too many; it must be nice to have your bar bill paid for. Then asking for your food to be added to the bill could suggest that you work at Westminster or the House of Lords; even at the Council, perhaps!

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]]> By: Don Smith http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-75175 Don Smith Sun, 04 Oct 2009 10:25:07 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-75175 Money - Plain and simple. Their circulation nearly doubled. Money – Plain and simple. Their circulation nearly doubled.

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]]> By: Don Smith http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-75072 Don Smith Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:19:17 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-75072 OK! But let's just have just a few prosecutions, in fairness to the benefit cheats who get prosecuted. Not a single MP has been prosecuted. And some are guilty of very serious fraud and deception. Just look at the case of the disgraced Speaker, Martin - Given the boot - made a Peer a pension for life of at least £32,000 a year and all the daily allowances that Peers claim. And then they tell us that crime does not pay:-) OK! But let’s just have just a few prosecutions,
in fairness to the benefit cheats who get prosecuted.

Not a single MP has been prosecuted. And some are guilty of very serious fraud and deception.

Just look at the case of the disgraced Speaker, Martin – Given the boot – made a Peer a pension for life of at least £32,000 a year and all the daily allowances that Peers claim. And then they tell us that crime does not pay:-)

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]]> By: Don Smith http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-75071 Don Smith Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:10:43 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-75071 And we must not forget the holidays the MPs and Peers have at public expense. One MP had eight holidays in one year. Visiting Australia, the West Indies and South America and Fiji. Going green! And me using light bulbs that remind me of gas lights in the 1930s. It's a blatant case of jollies on tap and no one to turn off the tap. And we must not forget the holidays the MPs and Peers have at public expense. One MP had eight holidays in one year. Visiting Australia, the West Indies and South America and Fiji. Going green! And me using light bulbs that remind me of gas lights in the 1930s.
It’s a blatant case of jollies on tap and no one to turn off the tap.

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]]> By: Davel Jones http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70923 Davel Jones Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:05:01 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70923 Contrary to how I thought this would grab me, I now feel that people are genuinely disappointed that the island MP was not discovered to be on board the personal gain train that a lot of the others have been riding on. This was quite evident in some papers where, having nothing with which to tar and feather him they resorted to their usual grubby type and dredged up and sensationalised something said in jest five years ago. Yes, inappropriate maybe but how many people have not smirked after receiving an "inappropriate" text on their phone about some celebrity’s misfortune? As a result of this “open season” journalism (I have another name for it) he was placed on the same shelf as people who had fleeced tens of thousands of pounds for personal gain. How can this be right? The occupational health figure was a misquote by, the telegraph,see islandmp.org If a similar situation arises where I’m employed then you follow whatever advice the Human Resource manager gives you. With the modern claim culture around us employee welfare can be a minefield these days so you follow whatever guidance the HW people give you. In any other environment, the cost of a vase for the office would have come out of office petty cash so I don’t exactly see a hanging case. I understand and agree with peoples concern over principles and the public purse, and god knows, I have enough gripes with the Tory council on the Island, but I have to say there is a an utterly ridiculous lack of fairness here, fuelled by the press. Contrary to how I thought this would grab me, I
now feel that people are genuinely disappointed
that the island MP was not discovered to be on
board the personal gain train that a lot of the others have been riding on.
This was quite evident in some papers where, having nothing with which to tar and feather him they resorted to their usual grubby type and dredged up and sensationalised something said in jest five years ago. Yes, inappropriate maybe but how many people have not smirked after receiving an “inappropriate” text on their phone about some celebrity’s misfortune?
As a result of this “open season” journalism (I have another name for it) he was placed on the same shelf as people who had fleeced tens of thousands of pounds for personal gain.
How can this be right?

The occupational health figure was a misquote by, the telegraph,see islandmp.org
If a similar situation arises where I’m employed then you follow whatever advice the Human Resource manager gives you. With the modern claim culture around us employee welfare can be a minefield these days so you follow whatever guidance the HW people give you.

In any other environment, the cost of a vase for the office would have come out of office petty cash so I don’t exactly see a hanging case.

I understand and agree with peoples concern over principles and the public purse, and god knows, I have enough gripes with the Tory council on the Island, but I have to say there is a an utterly ridiculous lack of fairness here, fuelled by the press.

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]]> By: chris http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70911 chris Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:34:40 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70911 The media and some of you are scraping the bottom of the barrel now. He miss spent £6.00 ... shock and horror, hang him now OR why not take a moment and think how many times you have seen or know of somoneone, even yourself, who has asked for a reciept to be made out not for the article in question. Evere person in the hospitality trade would have heard at somepoint ' ... can you put my bar bill down as food please? ... ' Shame on you all! The media and some of you are scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

He miss spent £6.00 … shock and horror, hang him now OR why not take a moment and think how many times you have seen or know of somoneone, even yourself, who has asked for a reciept to be made out not for the article in question.

Evere person in the hospitality trade would have heard at somepoint ‘ … can you put my bar bill down as food please? … ‘

Shame on you all!

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]]> By: JJ http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70902 JJ Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:28:03 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70902 Just noticed this, so posted here for those interested - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8080705.stm Just noticed this, so posted here for those interested – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8080705.stm

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]]> By: No.5 http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70893 No.5 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:44:20 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70893 I'm beginning to agree I’m beginning to agree

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]]> By: Phil Meboots http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70887 Phil Meboots Tue, 02 Jun 2009 21:47:42 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70887 A good guy! don't make me laugh, Whilst an employee may be eligible for sick pay, £600 for health care is not a legitimate expense, how much would our Council Tax would be if all teachers and other council staff suffering stress could claim nearly £600 for treatment? A well wisher sends him flowers and suddenly it costs me money for him to accept them! £20 for a leaving present! that should not come out of the public purse; £200 for an office radio! then another for £140 a year later. £20-£50 could have bought a decent radio for any office! Why were none of these listed on HIS published expenses a few weeks ago? I agree they are not massive compared to others but I have to doubt his integrity as to why he even made the claims. I feel it's because they just don't care, it's not their money let the taxpayer pay! A good guy! don’t make me laugh, Whilst an employee may be eligible for sick pay, £600 for health care is not a legitimate expense, how much would our Council Tax would be if all teachers and other council staff suffering stress could claim nearly £600 for treatment? A well wisher sends him flowers and suddenly it costs me money for him to accept them!
£20 for a leaving present! that should not come out of the public purse; £200 for an office radio! then another for £140 a year later. £20-£50 could have bought a decent radio for any office!

Why were none of these listed on HIS published expenses a few weeks ago? I agree they are not massive compared to others but I have to doubt his integrity as to why he even made the claims. I feel it’s because they just don’t care, it’s not their money let the taxpayer pay!

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]]> By: Jamie Brown http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70877 Jamie Brown Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:51:12 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70877 I've enjoyed this expenses scandal so far - its been good to see politicians forced to think about how they've spent our hard earned money. And I think its great that they're now more accountable for what they do with it going forward. However this seems unnecessary - clearly everything was spent fairly and in good faith. Or is this an example of a good guy? I’ve enjoyed this expenses scandal so far – its been good to see politicians forced to think about how they’ve spent our hard earned money. And I think its great that they’re now more accountable for what they do with it going forward. However this seems unnecessary – clearly everything was spent fairly and in good faith. Or is this an example of a good guy?

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]]> By: Pete http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70868 Pete Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:32:19 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70868 I still question the Telegraphs, and especially its owners, motivation in this. I still question the Telegraphs, and especially its owners, motivation in this.

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]]> By: Wendy V http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70865 Wendy V Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:18:21 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70865 Thanks for publishing the full Q&A so we can see for ourselves rather than waiting for the Telegraph's take on it. Thanks for publishing the full Q&A so we can see for ourselves rather than waiting for the Telegraph’s take on it.

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]]> By: Alan http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70864 Alan Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:16:53 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70864 HAHAHAHA Great stuff. It's great to see politicians squirm, especially when it's not about their sordid sexual activities. None of those expenses claims seem massively inappropriate, it's just good that all this information is finally public and MPs are feeling compelled to respond. HAHAHAHA

Great stuff. It’s great to see politicians squirm, especially when it’s not about their sordid sexual activities.

None of those expenses claims seem massively inappropriate, it’s just good that all this information is finally public and MPs are feeling compelled to respond.

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]]> By: Margie http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70861 Margie Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:16:54 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70861 As for the comments about drunken blur - clearly a joke, but with the nonsense that rears it's head during election process I wouldn't blame her anyway. As for the comments about drunken blur – clearly a joke, but with the nonsense that rears it’s head during election process I wouldn’t blame her anyway.

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]]> By: Margie http://ventnorblog.com/2009/06/02/telegraph-mp-expenses-spotlight-turns-on-andrew-turner/#comment-70860 Margie Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:15:32 +0000 http://ventnorblog.com/?p=21241#comment-70860 So he made a mistake claiming £6 for wrapping paper and the radios are quite expensive, but the rest of it, don't have a problem with it. Wish the Telegraph would just get over it. So he made a mistake claiming £6 for wrapping paper and the radios are quite expensive, but the rest of it, don’t have a problem with it. Wish the Telegraph would just get over it.

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