SUSPENDED Labour MP Simon Danczuk will be forced to pay back more than £11,000
in dodgy expense claims, The Sun can reveal.
Currently under investigation by the parliamentary watchdog, insiders say the
Rochdale MP has been found guilty of breaking tough rules and will have to
stump up the cash.
The shamed MP had the Labour whip withdrawn after he sent sexually explicit
text messages to a teenage girl and is also under a police investigation for
rape.
The Labour Party is conducting its own investigation into the saucy texts he
sent to 17 year old party member Sophena Houlihan, for which Mr Danczuk, 49,
apologised.
The Sun understands the repayments relate to jumbo accommodation “uplift”
claims that are only given to MPs who have “dependent” kids.
The MPs expenses rules state: “A supplement of up to £2,425 a year for each
dependant you care for. You will need to certify that the dependant
routinely lives with you.”
Mr Danczuk had allegedly been claiming for four of his children, despite two
of his sons not living with him.
He refused to comment on Monday until “the process was formally concluded”.
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However when the investigation was launched in February, he argued that all of
his claims were “made properly and based on my honest interpretation of the
Ipsa regulations”.
The dad of four, added: “I maintain that the existing rules are poorly worded
and not fit for purpose when it comes to modern families like mine.”
In 2014/15 Mr Danczuk expenses claims hit £205,460 making him the sixth
highest Commons claimer.
The bumper sum included £27,587.46 on overnight accommodation and £14,106.54
of travel.
Last night an IPSA spokesman told The Sun: “The independent Compliance Officer
is investigating Mr Danczuk, and will publish his findings in due course.”
A Labour source added: “This news will not do much to help Simon’s bid to have
the Labour whip restored.”