Taiwo Owatemi MP with her cockapoo Bella (Image: X)
Ministers will ask a Parliamentary watchdog to review some expenses claims after a Labour MP was able to claim ￡900 from the taxpayer in “pet rent”. Security minister Dan Jarvis insisted his colleague Taiwo Owatemi, a Government whip and the MP for Coventry North West, followed the rules when she made the expenses claim in August last year.
But the minister said the “rules can’t be right”, adding the Government would urge the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa) to change them.
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Asked about the expenses claim, Mr Jarvis told broadcaster LBC: “I wouldn’t do that, haven’t done that. Therefore, I think it can’t be right that the rules allow any Member of Parliament to do that.
“That is why the Government will be making representations to Ipsa, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, to ask them to look very carefully at the detail of this particular rule.
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“It’s important to say that the MP in question, she hasn’t done anything wrong in that she’s followed the rules as they are at the moment, but we don’t think that those rules can be right and that’s why the government will flag it with Ipsa.”
It was put to Mr Jarvis by LBC that a Labour MP claiming an expense for pet rent as the Government cut benefits was not a good look.
He replied: “Yeah. That is why the Government will raising concerns about this particular rule and we will pick that up with Ipsa.”
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Disability campaigner Hannah Campbell, 41, slammed the MP’s expense.
Ms Campbell, who had to have her left leg amputated after she was in an explosion while she was serving in the Iraq War, said: “This is a disgrace.
“It’s one set of rules for them and one set of rules for everyone else. They are not leading by example.
“When disability money is being cut, to hear that an MP has received ￡900 for a dog really is shocking.”
As a whip, the MP will help impose the Government's ￡5 billion disability benefit cuts.
Labour defended Ms Owatemi’s expenses claim, with a party spokesman saying: “MPs are required to work in two locations, and this is a requirement for living in this house.
“It is the same for many other MPs and has been approved by the parliamentary expenses watchdog.”
MPs can claim back rent on their accommodation in London if they have a constituency outside of the capital.John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s surely enough for MPs to get the rent on a second home paid for without the need to pick up the tab for their furry friends as well.
“No one begrudges a politician wanting a pet, but they should pay for the cost themselves.”
MPs have just been given a 2.8% pay rise - meaning they will now earn ￡93,904 a year.
Ipsa told a newspaper it agreed to fund the pet rent surcharge for Ms Owatemi, but “gave incorrect advice as to how it should be described”.
“We have apologised directly to the MP and are sorry for any confusion,” the parliamentary watchdog added.
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John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “It’s surely enough for MPs to get the rent on a second home paid for without the need to pick up the tab for their furry friends as well.
“No one begrudges a politician wanting a pet, but they should pay for the cost themselves.”
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MPs have just been given a 2.8% pay rise - meaning they will now earn ￡93,904 a year.
Ipsa told a newspaper it agreed to fund the pet rent surcharge for Ms Owatemi, but “gave incorrect advice as to how it should be described”.
“We have apologised directly to the MP and are sorry for any confusion,” the parliamentary watchdog added.