MP couple's home could be repossessed

Wednesday, 24 June 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

A Labour couple has been given a month by their local council before it repossesses their 'main' home.

MPs Ann and Alan Keen claimed £137,679 over four years for their second home, a Thameside flat in Waterloo; a sum which drew the public attention in recent weeks.

Now, a letter by Hounslow Council shown to the BBC is reported to have called on the couple to urgently justify why their main home in Brentford has been left empty.

The couple are believed to have left the council's letter sent last week unanswered.

A source from the Tory council told the BBC that their house in Brentford has been empty for seven months.

The council has the power to issue an Emergency Dwelling Management Order to repossess the house and give it a new use, if nothing is heard from the Keens.

The Keens, who have been dubbed 'Mr and Mrs Expenses' by the media, claimed £40,000 for their central London flat while their 'main home' in Brentford was left empty.

Their constituency house was reported to have fallen into disrepair over the last year after a dispute between the MPs and builders

Tags:
• constitution
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• domestic policy
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• legal and constitutional
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• mps pay and allowances