Expenses scandal: Two more heads roll
Thursday, 28 May 2009 4:59 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
Tory MP Julie Kirkbride and Labour MP Margaret Moran have ended their political careers in the wake of the expenses scandal.
Ms Kirkbride was intending to go to her Bromsgrove constituency today to face voters but frantic meetings in Conservative HQ appear to have made that move unnecessary.
Ms Moran, MP for Luton South, was accused of claiming £22,500 on a second home 100 miles from Luton.
She fell on her sword today, releasing a statement to the press which said she had informed the general secretary of the Labour party that she intended to stand down.
"I have done nothing wrong or dishonest in relation to my claim for expenses and have at all times acted on advice from the House of Commons Fees Office in relation to my family home in Southampton," she insisted.
She went on to cite the "bruising effect" of the allegations on her "family, friends and... health" as the reason she was standing down.
Meanwhile, nearly 4,000 constituents had signed a petition calling for Ms Kirkbride's resignation this morning.
The relentless media pressure on the Bromsgrove MP appears to have finally forced her to stand down today.
In a written statement she said she "understood" people's anger, but cited a "barrage of distorted press" as the reason for her having to step down.
"I've given a good account of myself but the pressure was too great," she wrote.
In response, Tory leader David Cameron appeared to hold open the opportunity for a return to politics.
"Don't let this cast a shadow over your achievements," he wrote.
"Although today must seem a very dark day you have so much to offer in the future."
Ms Kirkbride was already in trouble after it emerged she had paid her sister to be her secretary despite the fact she lives over 100 miles from either her constituency or Westminster, as well as allowing her brother to buy electronic equipment worth £1,000.
But this morning the Telegraph revealed she re-mortgaged her second home by £50,000 to fund an extension of the property and a claim for higher interest payments.
Ms Kirkbride said the extension was necessary so her brother and son no longer had to share a room.
In a letter to the Fees Office last June she wrote: "The extended mortgage was taken out to pay for the building of an extra bedroom at our property, accommodating the needs of our growing family.
"I trust this is all in order."
She argued the alternative - to move to a new house - would have cost the taxpayer more.
The rules at the time allowed MPs to claim for alterations the family needed, but not that designed to increase the value of the property.
Yesterday, Ms Kirkbride defended her actions saying her sister was perfectly capable doing her work from her home because of the internet, and that the electronic equipment was bought for her parliamentary duties at the lowest price available.
Ms Kirkbride's husband - Bracknell Tory MP Andrew MacKay - has already quit as an aide to Tory leader David Cameron and announced he will be standing down as an MP at the next election after claiming second home allowance on the same home his wife described as their main residence.
Ms Kirkbride previously said it was up to her local party to decide whether she stands at the next election.
Both MPs will quit at the next election.
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