MP told to repay nanny expenses
Updated on 03 March 2009
A senior Tory MP is to repay £9,600 of taxpayers' money she paid her children's nanny after a sleaze watchdog ruled she had unintentionally breached Commons rules.
Shadow cabinet member Caroline Spelman apologised for the error but welcomed the conclusion of the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner that it had not been deliberate.
"I fully accept the findings of this inquiry which I sought because I wanted the opportunity to clear my name," the shadow communities secretary said.
"I am glad the committee finds that the work done by Tina Haynes met a genuine need for an assistant in the constituency, that she was qualified to do the job and that the work was done.
"However, as the committee notes, the arrangements had the unintended effect of misapplying some of my Parliamentary allowances for non-Parliamentary purposes, for which I am sorry.
"This is a finding which I take very seriously and I will of course immediately pay the money in question back."
Spelman added: "The Committee makes clear that this breach of the rules on my part was unintended. It took place more than a decade ago when I was a new MP.
"But I apologise sincerely for it. I fully accept people have a right to expect the highest standards from people in public life."
The Meriden MP has insisted that Tina Haynes was only paid with public funds for secretarial work between 1997 and 1998, and her nannying duties were rewarded separately with free board and lodging.
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