News Release

13th May 2009

MPs' EXPENSES

In the light of recent publicity about MPs' expenses and David Cameron's announcements today regarding transparency, Michael Fabricant says: "I know full well that many of my constituents are concerned about the misuse of MPs' allowances and expenses. For the avoidance of any doubt and, frankly, as I do not wish to be tarred with the same brush as Government ministers, I thought it might be helpful to set the record straight.

"I have never used the device of 'home flipping', that is changing the home on which to make a claim - nor any other technique - to maximise claims.

"My main home is in Lichfield and after I was elected to Parliament I bought a small flat near to the House of Commons on which I claim an allowance. In fact, because of low mortgage rates, my home in Lichfield currently costs more to run than the one in London on which I make my claim. For the sake of clarity: I only claim on the London flat and do not claim on any other property nor for any swimming pools or moats (not that I possess either). I am not a Londoner and if I were not an MP, I would not have nor want a flat there. It goes with the work. It also has to be said that the expenses I have claimed on that flat only cover a part of the actual costs of my staying overnight in Westminster.