Someone has commented on my comment on a comment made by in his blog on the BBC website!
.... And I thought I was nothing more that the voice of one, crying in the political wilderness!!! (Note to self! - The person commenting on my comment on the comment on the BBC blog did not like my random use of exclamation maarks!!!!!! - Don't understand what they mean!!
Click on the link below to check this out:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markdarcy/2010/06/gripes_and_grumbles.html#comments
And thank you, El_Fidge, for taking the ttime to read my comment and comment on it!
Showing posts with label MPs' expenses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MPs' expenses. Show all posts
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Sunday, 9 May 2010
The Fraudsters' Parliament - 48
I haved just picked up on a story in The Telegraph which may be of interest.
If the article is correct, the Wikipedia entries for a number of MPs (upto 10 so far) have been altered to erase any reference to their expenses claims plus one or two 'inconvenient' pieces of information.
One Chris Grayling, expecting to be our new Home Secretary, is one of them. Is there something in the job decscription for the Home Secretary of our banana republic which states that any candidate NEEDS to be willing to fiddle taxpayers' money?
Nothing unusual in the alteration of a Wikipedia entry.... they are editable by their very nature...... it is just that the IP addresses of the computers used to change some of the entries suggest that parliamentary computer was used!
Read the aricle by clicking on the link below;-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7696484/MPs-accused-of-Wikipedia-expenses-cover-up.html
As my old Irish Uncle used to say.... "Sure 'tis a miracle!"
Alleged Fraudster to Squeaky Clean Politician with a few key strokes on a keyboard!
If the article is correct, the Wikipedia entries for a number of MPs (upto 10 so far) have been altered to erase any reference to their expenses claims plus one or two 'inconvenient' pieces of information.
One Chris Grayling, expecting to be our new Home Secretary, is one of them. Is there something in the job decscription for the Home Secretary of our banana republic which states that any candidate NEEDS to be willing to fiddle taxpayers' money?
Nothing unusual in the alteration of a Wikipedia entry.... they are editable by their very nature...... it is just that the IP addresses of the computers used to change some of the entries suggest that parliamentary computer was used!
Read the aricle by clicking on the link below;-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/7696484/MPs-accused-of-Wikipedia-expenses-cover-up.html
As my old Irish Uncle used to say.... "Sure 'tis a miracle!"
Alleged Fraudster to Squeaky Clean Politician with a few key strokes on a keyboard!
Thursday, 1 April 2010
The Fraudsters' Parliament - 37
The following link will take you to the thisisexeter.co.uk.news website with a story about a LibDem MP who has been showing us it is not just Conservative and Labour MPs who have had their hand in the till in this Fraudsters' Parliament!
Yet another MP given a gentle slap on the wrist by his cronies in The Fraudsters' Parliament when any ordinary FULL taxpaying citizen voter would be expecting a stay in one of HM penal establishments!
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Teign-MP-apology-expenses-scandal/article-1962868-detail/article.html
I could not help making a comment!
Yet another MP given a gentle slap on the wrist by his cronies in The Fraudsters' Parliament when any ordinary FULL taxpaying citizen voter would be expecting a stay in one of HM penal establishments!
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/news/Teign-MP-apology-expenses-scandal/article-1962868-detail/article.html
I could not help making a comment!
Monday, 29 March 2010
The Fraudsters' Parliament - 35
I have just found an interesting story about the MPs' expenses scandal posted by the London coresspondent of a Canadian newspaper, The Montreal Gazette. You can read the story on their online edition by clicking on the link below;-
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/SCANDAL+VOTERS+MINDS/2737651/story.html
Tuesday 30th March - update
I have just picked up a story in The Guardian concerning the sending of yet another file about MPs' expenses being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Check out the story by clicking on the link below;-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/mar/30/new-parliamentary-expenses-file-passed-cps
Are the police finally getting their act together? No name has been given yet! I wonder if it will be another of the 'minnows' or one of the many in this Fraudsters' Parliament who should be behind bars?
http://www.montrealgazette.com/business/SCANDAL+VOTERS+MINDS/2737651/story.html
Tuesday 30th March - update
I have just picked up a story in The Guardian concerning the sending of yet another file about MPs' expenses being sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Check out the story by clicking on the link below;-
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/mar/30/new-parliamentary-expenses-file-passed-cps
Are the police finally getting their act together? No name has been given yet! I wonder if it will be another of the 'minnows' or one of the many in this Fraudsters' Parliament who should be behind bars?
Monday, 1 February 2010
The Fraudsters' Parliament - 16
Had an email from the Sydney Morning Herald today!
They have agreed to me having a link on the blog so that readers can access any articles in that newspaper's online edition. I note that the latest parliamentary body tasked with overseeing MPs' expenses and remuneration claim to be comparing the USA and Australian systems with the UK!.
This new link will to The Sydney Morning Herald will, at least, give any reader of my blog the chance to see how the fraudulent claims by MPs are reported in the Australian newspapers.
If you are interested how the expenses scandal is being reported in an Australian newspaper, click on the link above and, when the online edition of the Sydney Morning Herald appears, type in MPs' expenses in the search box. keep visiting for the forthccoming updates on the MPs' expenses scandal which refuses to go away!
I hope to receive the OK from a leading US newspaper so that we can see how the scandal is being reported in US newspapers in the run up to the long awaited General Election.... hopeffully a 'disinfecting' General Election which sees the removal of all those in parliament and their cronies who have been involved in the fraudulent claiming of vast amounts of taxpayers' monies!
They have agreed to me having a link on the blog so that readers can access any articles in that newspaper's online edition. I note that the latest parliamentary body tasked with overseeing MPs' expenses and remuneration claim to be comparing the USA and Australian systems with the UK!.
This new link will to The Sydney Morning Herald will, at least, give any reader of my blog the chance to see how the fraudulent claims by MPs are reported in the Australian newspapers.
If you are interested how the expenses scandal is being reported in an Australian newspaper, click on the link above and, when the online edition of the Sydney Morning Herald appears, type in MPs' expenses in the search box. keep visiting for the forthccoming updates on the MPs' expenses scandal which refuses to go away!
I hope to receive the OK from a leading US newspaper so that we can see how the scandal is being reported in US newspapers in the run up to the long awaited General Election.... hopeffully a 'disinfecting' General Election which sees the removal of all those in parliament and their cronies who have been involved in the fraudulent claiming of vast amounts of taxpayers' monies!
Sunday, 17 January 2010
Fraudsters' Parliament -11
I met a couple of nice people at a party last evening...... discussion got round to politics... as it does!
Check it out on the link below;
Enjoy!
Now for some more serious stuff! I had a look at Wikipaedia and found this information on The Fraud Act 2006. Look particularly at Sections 2-4 ('Fraud by false representation', 'Fraud by failing to disclose information' and 'Fraud by abuse of position');-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraud_Act_2006
The link on the explanatory notes relating to the Act is rather interesting. I am no legal expert, but could not these notes have been written specifically to deal with MPs who make fraudulent expenses and other claims?
Check it out:-
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/en/ukpgaen_20060035_en_1
I ask the question that does not appear to have been asked anywhere in the corridors of power;
Why have we, the taxpaying citizen voters of the UK, not heard the slamming of cell doors behind a not inconsiderable number of MPs in this Fraudsters' Parliament?
This morning I checked out my blog and noticed that it was lacking a little culture! Searched the web... as you do.... and found a lovely little song on YouTube .... yes it is dedicated to the MPs' expenses scandal!
Enjoy!
Also have a look at this gag reel of MPs' expenses excuses.... also found on Youtube;
Now for some more serious stuff! I had a look at Wikipaedia and found this information on The Fraud Act 2006. Look particularly at Sections 2-4 ('Fraud by false representation', 'Fraud by failing to disclose information' and 'Fraud by abuse of position');-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraud_Act_2006
The link on the explanatory notes relating to the Act is rather interesting. I am no legal expert, but could not these notes have been written specifically to deal with MPs who make fraudulent expenses and other claims?
Check it out:-
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/en/ukpgaen_20060035_en_1
I ask the question that does not appear to have been asked anywhere in the corridors of power;
Why have we, the taxpaying citizen voters of the UK, not heard the slamming of cell doors behind a not inconsiderable number of MPs in this Fraudsters' Parliament?
Saturday, 19 December 2009
The Fraudsters' Parliament -5
By 25th March 2008 the battle over MPs expenses was to hot up. By that date it was heading for the High Court after the House of Commons launched a late attempt to prevent the publication of details of the claims made by MPs.
They appealed against disclosure claiming that the publication of their second homes addresses would mean that they were less likely to 'speak their minds' which would 'inhibit democratic debate'. They also claimed that disclosure of addresses would present a security risk and may produce a potential bill for the taxpayer!
We now know, of course, that several MPs were looking at a prison sentence if the details of their claims came into the public domain.
For a clear overview of the developments in this story, try Wikipaedia's information on the MPs' expenses scandal at;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPs
In the SEARCH box type in MPs' Expenses scandal. This will get you to the section giving the overview of the UK parliameentray expenses scandal to date!
The Information Tribunal had ordered the Commons to release MPs' individual claims and said that there was no reason why their second home details should not be revealed too. The then Speaker of the House was apparently responsible for the launching the appeal against disclosure. It was to cost him his job!...... at least in the House of Commons!
They appealed against disclosure claiming that the publication of their second homes addresses would mean that they were less likely to 'speak their minds' which would 'inhibit democratic debate'. They also claimed that disclosure of addresses would present a security risk and may produce a potential bill for the taxpayer!
We now know, of course, that several MPs were looking at a prison sentence if the details of their claims came into the public domain.
For a clear overview of the developments in this story, try Wikipaedia's information on the MPs' expenses scandal at;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPs
In the SEARCH box type in MPs' Expenses scandal. This will get you to the section giving the overview of the UK parliameentray expenses scandal to date!
The Information Tribunal had ordered the Commons to release MPs' individual claims and said that there was no reason why their second home details should not be revealed too. The then Speaker of the House was apparently responsible for the launching the appeal against disclosure. It was to cost him his job!...... at least in the House of Commons!
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
The Fraudsters' Parliament - 3
I have to admit that the more I delved into the fraudulent attitude that MPs appeared to have towards their allowances and expenses, the more annoyed I became.
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner had, apparently asked the parliamentary organisation supposedly policing MPs' behaviour (later to be dubbed the 'Parliamentary Watchpoodle'!) why the matter had not been referred to the police... to no avail.
I fired off a letter to the Metropolitan Police! Note that this letter was not exactly alive with legal knowledge or jargon....... It was, however, a bona fide letter of complaint from a taxpaying citizen! ....... I think it would be fair to say that our boys in blue (Met Division) did not exactly leap into action!!
Metropolitan Police Commissioner
Metropolitan Police Service
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW1H 0BG
11th March 2008
Subject: Alleged embezzlement of public funds by an MP
Dear Sir,
As a tax paying UK citizen, I am writing to confirm my question, made earlier by email, asking if a police investigation into the recent allegations of alleged embezzlement of public funds by an MP has been initiated.
If such an investigation has not yet been initiated, as a tax paying citizen, I am requesting that such an investigation be initiated.
Please consider this to be a formal complaint against any party who may have acted illegally.
I appreciate that you have asked why the parliamentary authorities have not requested action by the Metropolitan Police, with little positive response from those authorities.
Yours faithfully,
John L. Bell
The Metropolitan Police Commissioner had, apparently asked the parliamentary organisation supposedly policing MPs' behaviour (later to be dubbed the 'Parliamentary Watchpoodle'!) why the matter had not been referred to the police... to no avail.
I fired off a letter to the Metropolitan Police! Note that this letter was not exactly alive with legal knowledge or jargon....... It was, however, a bona fide letter of complaint from a taxpaying citizen! ....... I think it would be fair to say that our boys in blue (Met Division) did not exactly leap into action!!
Metropolitan Police Commissioner
Metropolitan Police Service
New Scotland Yard
Broadway
London
SW1H 0BG
11th March 2008
Subject: Alleged embezzlement of public funds by an MP
Dear Sir,
As a tax paying UK citizen, I am writing to confirm my question, made earlier by email, asking if a police investigation into the recent allegations of alleged embezzlement of public funds by an MP has been initiated.
If such an investigation has not yet been initiated, as a tax paying citizen, I am requesting that such an investigation be initiated.
Please consider this to be a formal complaint against any party who may have acted illegally.
I appreciate that you have asked why the parliamentary authorities have not requested action by the Metropolitan Police, with little positive response from those authorities.
Yours faithfully,
John L. Bell
Sunday, 13 December 2009
MPs' fraudulent expenses claims part 2
One member of the House of Commons rose to the occassion, although I later learned that a few, a very few, others had been campaigning against the sharp practices undertaken by some of their colleagues in parliament!
Mr Frank Field is one of that select band of MPs whose opinions I value when there is talk now of 'reforming' this Fraudsters' Parliament.
Immediately after the Conway scandal I merely asked questions assuming that there was one rotten apple in the barrel. I was stunned when Mr Field stood up in parliament and asked why there had been no effective action about the scandal and there was no effective reply from the 600+ members! I logged onto the internet that evening and found a recording from parliament of his statement. He compared the Commons' response to the Conway disclosures to their response if similar practices had been discovered in the equivalent of the parliamentary canteen!
As the extent of the fraudulent practices by a large number of MPs started coming into the public domain.... the penny dropped! There were very few who could be trusted to put the voters' interests before their own financial gain.
MPs, with the exception of Mr Field and a very small band of others, could no longer be trusted - at all!
We now (December 2009) need an election to get rid of all the fraudsters, from whatever party and whatever level of seniority, in this travesty of a democratic institution.
Far too many appear to have graduated from the MUGABE SCHOOL OF DEMOCRACY (Financial division) with 'honours'.
As a taxpaying citizen, I no longer want MPs to be beholding financially to any outside body! I do not want them even to have 'ownership of the rules' governing their behaviour and their ability to 'spirit away' their misdoings.
I want this in much the same way as I do not want the local burglar fraternity to have ownership of my house keys, my car keys, or the keys of any 'main' home I may have been designating, for the purposes of further defrauding the taxpaying public!
The new members of the next parliament must show that they are totally free of conflicting interest or outside financial influence - unless membership of parliament is to be deemed a 'part-time' activity. At sometime in the future ... ten to fifteen years down the line from here- can we review this question when it has become the norm for MPs' claims to be fully and independently audited with the full results in the public domain.
And when the next 'clean' parliament has hopefully been installed sometime next year, perhaps we can begin to address the abuse of influence in the Lords which has come to light recently!
Further searching of the internet disclosed the name of one individual who had for years been attempting to throw some light onto the 'goings on' in official circles in the UK- Heather Brooke, a journalist wwho was amazed at the lack of transparency she found in large areas of British governance. I checked out the website http://www.yrtk.org/ (the website of the Your Right to Know organisation). I would suggest that any taxpaying citizen voter should make frequent visits to this website. I bought a copy of her book 'Your Right to Know: A Citizens Guide to Freedom of Information' and my concern score in relation to MPs and theeir expenses, increased from 1 ('mildly concerned') to 5 ('getting annoyed')!
Mr Frank Field is one of that select band of MPs whose opinions I value when there is talk now of 'reforming' this Fraudsters' Parliament.
Immediately after the Conway scandal I merely asked questions assuming that there was one rotten apple in the barrel. I was stunned when Mr Field stood up in parliament and asked why there had been no effective action about the scandal and there was no effective reply from the 600+ members! I logged onto the internet that evening and found a recording from parliament of his statement. He compared the Commons' response to the Conway disclosures to their response if similar practices had been discovered in the equivalent of the parliamentary canteen!
As the extent of the fraudulent practices by a large number of MPs started coming into the public domain.... the penny dropped! There were very few who could be trusted to put the voters' interests before their own financial gain.
MPs, with the exception of Mr Field and a very small band of others, could no longer be trusted - at all!
We now (December 2009) need an election to get rid of all the fraudsters, from whatever party and whatever level of seniority, in this travesty of a democratic institution.
Far too many appear to have graduated from the MUGABE SCHOOL OF DEMOCRACY (Financial division) with 'honours'.
As a taxpaying citizen, I no longer want MPs to be beholding financially to any outside body! I do not want them even to have 'ownership of the rules' governing their behaviour and their ability to 'spirit away' their misdoings.
I want this in much the same way as I do not want the local burglar fraternity to have ownership of my house keys, my car keys, or the keys of any 'main' home I may have been designating, for the purposes of further defrauding the taxpaying public!
The new members of the next parliament must show that they are totally free of conflicting interest or outside financial influence - unless membership of parliament is to be deemed a 'part-time' activity. At sometime in the future ... ten to fifteen years down the line from here- can we review this question when it has become the norm for MPs' claims to be fully and independently audited with the full results in the public domain.
And when the next 'clean' parliament has hopefully been installed sometime next year, perhaps we can begin to address the abuse of influence in the Lords which has come to light recently!
Further searching of the internet disclosed the name of one individual who had for years been attempting to throw some light onto the 'goings on' in official circles in the UK- Heather Brooke, a journalist wwho was amazed at the lack of transparency she found in large areas of British governance. I checked out the website http://www.yrtk.org/ (the website of the Your Right to Know organisation). I would suggest that any taxpaying citizen voter should make frequent visits to this website. I bought a copy of her book 'Your Right to Know: A Citizens Guide to Freedom of Information' and my concern score in relation to MPs and theeir expenses, increased from 1 ('mildly concerned') to 5 ('getting annoyed')!
MPs' Expenses!
It all started with the disclosures surrounding the Conway case in the UK House of Commons. I was a taxpaying citizen UK voter who thought..." What a disgrace! This guy has to go to gaol! He must have broken the law!..... He's for it!" As I tut-tutted I waited for the full wrath of the members in the House of Commons to fall on him! There followed a few parliamentary mutterings..... and comparative silence!
Of course, at that time I did not realise (nor did any other UK citizen!) just how widespread were the fraudulent practices undertaken by members of the self styled 'Mother of Parliaments' and how effectively those privvy to the system had managed to conceal the full extent of their misdeeds. At that time I would have scored my concern as a 1 on a scale from 0 to 10-- a mild concern that this individual has trangressed but witth absolute certainty that the matter would be dealt with immediately by the authorities!...... How innocent (or stupid, if you like!) was I!
Of course, at that time I did not realise (nor did any other UK citizen!) just how widespread were the fraudulent practices undertaken by members of the self styled 'Mother of Parliaments' and how effectively those privvy to the system had managed to conceal the full extent of their misdeeds. At that time I would have scored my concern as a 1 on a scale from 0 to 10-- a mild concern that this individual has trangressed but witth absolute certainty that the matter would be dealt with immediately by the authorities!...... How innocent (or stupid, if you like!) was I!
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