David Laws Resignation
3
weeks into the coalitions’ term, they have lost there
first minister, David Laws.
Multi millionaire
David Laws has resigned over allegations in the daily Telegraph
that between 2004 and 2007, Mr Laws claimed between £700
and £950 a month to sub-let a room in a flat in Kennsington,
South London, from his secret
long-term partner, lobbyist James Lundie.
Since 2006,
Parliamentary rules have banned MPs from "leasing accommodation
from a partner". Mr Laws has confirmed he will repay
the £40,000 of tax payers money, but
queried whether Mr Lundie, his long time “partner”
counted as a "partner" as defined by the rules on
expenses. Mr Laws said he wanted to protect
his privacy.
In response to these allegations, the Prime Minister David
Cameron told Mr. Laws “You are a good and honourable
man. I am sure that, throughout, you have been motivated by
wanting to protect your privacy rather than anything else.”
This is the Fair and
open Government response designed to create trust in the wake
of the recent MPs Expenses Scandal.
The Lib Dem leader said: "I very much hope that when
those questions are answered there will be an opportunity
for him to rejoin the government because, as everyone has
seen in recent weeks, he has so much to contribute to national
life.”When all
is said and done, this has come about because of David's intense
desire to keep his own private life private.
His privacy has now been cruelly shattered."
PM David Cameron and his deputy Nick Clegg paid
tribute to him, saying they hoped he would return to government.
Former MP Martin Bell said expenses claims had to be "squeaky
clean" or "you'll be punished".
Labour MP Stephen Pound echoing the electorates’ feelings
said Mr Law's explanation that he wanted to keep his personal
life private made no sense. Mr
Pound told the BBC: "You
don't pay money to someone you're in a close relationship
with and expect the state to dip into its purse to pay it
for you.”I find it very difficult to be overly sympathetic
to someone who is a multi-millionaire yet someone who allowed
his greed to overcome his good sense."
It is to be expected that as the Lib Dems are part of the
government, they will come under much more scrutiny than when
they were simply the ‘third party’.
Vic
Farron RFT
Express.
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