LEYTON/WANSTEAD: MP denies plans to pay back caravan expenses (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

LEYTON/WANSTEAD: MP denies plans to pay back caravan expenses

9:56am Wednesday 13th May 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(4)

MP HARRY Cohen has denied claims that he will pay back cash for work on a caravan, saying he never spent tax payers' money on it in the first place.

The Leyton and Wanstead representative, who has been embroiled in the long-running row over the second homes allowance from the start, has rubbished reports that he will return cash, apparently claimed through expenses, for work on his mobile home in Mersea Island, Essex.

After the allegations were printed in the national press, a spokeswoman for Mr Cohen told the Wanstead and Woodford Guardian: "There never was an issue about the caravan as he never claimed anaything on it, therefore he doesn't have to pay anything back."

The MP has attracted a storm of criticism after being revealed as one of the highest claimants of the allowance in outer London.

The allowance of up to £24,000 a year goes to MPs living outside the capital to cover the cost of staying away from their main home when carrying out Parliamentary duties.

Mr Cohen currently declares his main family home as being in Colchester, Essex, despite admitting to spending 90 per cent of his time in his Wanstead home in Woodcote Road.

Mr Cohen is currently being investigated by the Parliamentary Watchdog after allegations from a member of the public that he broke expenses rules.

The complaint centres around allegations that Mr Cohen used his second home allowance to claim for his main home.

Mr Cohen was unavailable for comment but has always denied any wrong doing.