Inquiry launched into Basingstoke MP Maria Miller's expenses (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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MP Maria Miller under fire over expenses and property arrangements
12:54pm Thursday 13th December 2012 in Local
Culture Secretary and Basingstoke MP, Maria Miller, who is under fire over old expense claims
BASINGSTOKE MP Maria Miller is to have her expense claims investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.
A spokeswoman for the Commissioner said this morning: "It has been accepted for inquiry. There is an inquiry."
Labour MP John Mann submitted a complaint about her claims on Tuesday.
It follows reports that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, had allowed her parents to live in a Wimbledon property for which she claimed £90,718 in second home allowances during the last parliament.
Mrs Miller has said her expenses were "absolutely in order" and "in complete accordance with the rules".
Her spokesman said: ''Mrs Miller's expenses have been audited twice and found to be wholly proper and above board.
''Any suggestion to the contrary is simply untrue. She would fully co-operate with any inquiry.''
The Daily Telegraph has also published further allegations today about Mrs Miller, claiming she lived in rented north Hampshire properties subsidised by local Tory grandee Nigel McNair Scott.
It says her rent was heavily discounted during the period.
The paper claims that the arrangement was not declared to Whitehall mandarins and that this set up a potential conflict of interest, as Mr McNair Scott, who has been both treasurer and chairman of Basingstoke Conservatives, is chairman of national property company Helical Bar, which is based in London.
Mrs Miller, the paper says, left the second property she rented from Mr McNair Scott, in September 2010. The MP said the properties were rented through normal commercial arrangements and “wholly proper and above board”.
Mr McNair Scott has said the rentals were negotiated at arm’s length “on an entirely professional basis”.
Mr McNair Scott, 67, who lives south of the M3 near Old Basing, is the husband of Anna McNair Scott, Hampshire County Councillor representing the Candovers division.
Comments(45)
Opinions_opinions
says...
2:06pm Thu 13 Dec 12
please please please keep digging. There is likely to be so much more you can find out. Ask some of her ex-councillors as I am sure they have some fuel to add to the fire. In fact, Mr Phil Heath, what can you tell us ?
Theulktimatefarce
says...
2:29pm Thu 13 Dec 12
"'Mrs Miller's expenses have been audited twice and found to be wholly proper and above board. "
The banks were also audited, and look at them now.
Upontheroof
says...
2:48pm Thu 13 Dec 12
P Heath
says...
3:49pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Upontheroof
says...
3:56pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Pacifier
says...
4:07pm Thu 13 Dec 12
We will remember next election!!!!!
Folkestone Saint
says...
4:42pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Bill Chapman
says...
6:06pm Thu 13 Dec 12
The Daily Telegraph deserves praise for its revelation of this and other scandals in recent years.
hoot_gibson
says...
7:03pm Thu 13 Dec 12
A disgraceful cover up of the truth.
it just shows how corrupt you and so many of our politicians are.
You will kicked out at the next election that is if you are not in jail sooner.
Folkestone Saint
says...
7:20pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Opinions_opinions wrote:Thanks for the up-date, I dont live in Basingstoke anymore but was born there and wish I was back quite often
Folkestone Saint wrote:Folkestone , you are obviously new to this site. Maria Miller has NEVER lived in Basingstoke. She lives in Merton in SW London and only visits Basingstoke for photo call opportunities as and when needed. You are however correct in that if she was to live here, the train from Basingstoke to Waterloo is on average about 50 minutes. A lot cheaper than the £90K we have been paying her for all these years. Maria Miller initially stood for an MP in Wolverhampton but was unsuccessful. So the Tory needed to find her a safe seat to contest. And here she is !! Or not as the case may be as no one really ever sees her. She is a parasite living off the voters of Basingstoke who elected her into Parliament. Can anyone on here actually tell me what SHE has done for Basingstoke. I don't mean her staff, I mean her, Maria Miller. Can anyone tell me what SHE has contributed to Basingstoke.
I assume she lives in or near to Basingstoke, so why on earth do we need to pay for her to have two homes when she is about an hour from home "IF" she spends all day at Westminster. Laws may not have been broken but morals have, and it look's like she is at the front of the queue for the trough whilst others eat or heat
popleyrebel2
says...
7:25pm Thu 13 Dec 12
However, the one that strikes a note is Maria Miller is the “the one to watch” and never has a truer word been spoken. Over the years there have been calls for the Gazette to challenge her, sadly however, all have been ignored.
Her utter contempt for her local paper (without challenge) has given her the confidence to believe she can treat the national press with the same contempt by using her position to bully the Telegraph from reporting their finding on her expenses, and at the same time however giving those against legislation, as recommended by Levisohn the boost they needed.
We must support the victims of phone hacking, not my words, Maria Millers, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Sadly however, she was covering her own back at the expense of the victims.
BugBear
says...
8:04pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Bill Chapman wrote:Cameron has consistently shown bad judgement with virtually all his ministerial appointments, Maria Miller is just the latest and I'm sure not the last. He shows bad judgement in virtually everything he does from making empty promises for an EU referendum to the Gay Church Wedding muddle. I do wonder though if Maria Miller has been set up to fall by Conservative central office, she is obviously not in possession of the skills necessary for high office but has obviously been coached for the short period of time she will be there. One wonders if Cameron wanted to get his pet subjects through, has used her and will now dispense of her services so we have no one left to take to task.
Of course this woman has to go, in the light of everything revealed so far. She should resign as minister and as MP. How can she hang on like this? It will be interesting to see if David Cameron has the courage to dismiss her. He has expressed his complete confidence in her, the usual prelude.
The Daily Telegraph deserves praise for its revelation of this and other scandals in recent years.
alan partridge
says...
10:26pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Pure Greed! Just like Maggie Thatcher, a witch all out for herself and the rich toffs she brown noses.
Pull the ladder up and sod the rest. Thats the tory attitude.
She MUST be voted out at the next election. Simply not interested in Basingstoke unless it suits her.
Max Headroom
says...
11:55pm Thu 13 Dec 12
Jonty11
says...
7:38am Fri 14 Dec 12
..
JacquesMeahof
says...
9:58am Fri 14 Dec 12
With Cllr Finney's "sorry", Mrs McNair -Scott's husband's "renting of property" to the disgrace of an MP for Basingstoke - how can anyone trust any of the local politicians?
The whole lot should be removed and elections held to root out the rot.
Maybe there should be a limit on the length of time that ANY politician is allowed to stay in office - similar to that of the US President?
Sleaze!
W Wallace
says...
10:39am Fri 14 Dec 12
MP Maria Miller, receives £90k for her second home, income for a property in which her parents live in.
It disgusts me to the core.
Opinions_opinions
says...
11:27am Fri 14 Dec 12
iament.uk so get your fingers to the keypads and start typing. Keep us all updated on the replies. Can someone make a webpage where we can all comment on before the gazette removes this story ?
popleyrebel2
says...
11:47am Fri 14 Dec 12
The web page is great idea and the Gazette should take up the challenge, as previously said we have 3 thread running consecutively and chances are they will disappear as a consequence of the negativity and condemnation towards Maria Miller MP.
BugBear
says...
11:51am Fri 14 Dec 12
alan partridge wrote:I think you are being a little unfair on Maggie Thatcher. Although I disagreed with much of what she did and believe she was misguided and misled by some of her advisor's she herself, right or wrong really believed she was doing what was best for the country and its people. Lets not forget how the unions, whether you like the truth or not were destroying the country and its economy for the sole purpose of changing our political system from democracy to communism. Its a kind of reverse bigotry to label people toff's as harmful when in reality many of those same toffs drive our country forward bring wealth and prosperity to all. As for Max, yes Basingstoke has been a safe Tory seat for the past 90 years but the Tories now are nothing like has gone before. Our last decent MP David Mitchell was an honest and honourable man, unfortunately those qualities have not followed through to his son or in fact the bulk of the Conservatives. The politicians now Labour, Conservative, LibDem are nothing like what has gone before and very few are competent to act in our best interests. We need change and we need it quick before this country gets dragged further into the mire, we cannot rely in any of the traditional parties to save us, they are the ones that have betrayed us.
AHA!
Pure Greed! Just like Maggie Thatcher, a witch all out for herself and the rich toffs she brown noses.
Pull the ladder up and sod the rest. Thats the tory attitude.
She MUST be voted out at the next election. Simply not interested in Basingstoke unless it suits her.
popleyrebel2
says...
12:41pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Firstly, Expenses, there has been speculation over Maria Miller claims for years, her 1st and 2nd homes have dominated any discussions/debate on the Gazette comments forum.
That said, now it’s in the public domain (national press) there’s no hiding place for Maria Miller MP.
Abuse of Power, the victims of phone hacking welcomed the Leveson’s findings and supported in its entirety, It was the Government (David Cameron) that opposed any legislation (recommended by Leveson) on the grounds that any future Government could amend legislation thus allowing politicians to influence the press, this was also back up by Maria Miller MP the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.
We didn’t have to wait for a future Government to blow this out of the water, within two weeks Maria Miller MP used her position to gag the press on reporting her expenses.
Can you ever imagine how the victims feel, total betrayal springs to mind.
How could this woman look the victims in the eye claiming compassion and support and then sabotage their dream of recompense.
Should she stand down “NO” should she been sacked “YES”
Robert Donnell
says...
1:54pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Knowing Maria and her dedication to service and the people of Basingstoke, I am sure that the independent enquiry will resolve all of this and show that she has abided by the rules and been above board at all times.
JacquesMeahof
says...
2:01pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Like her non-involvement during the Chineham Park school closure!
Priceless comments Mr Donnell.
old biddy
says...
2:11pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Opinions_opinions
says...
2:16pm Fri 14 Dec 12
popleyrebel2
says...
2:30pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Having you on here proves one thing, her cage has been rattled
BasingstokeOne
says...
2:42pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Robert Donnell wrote:Perhaps she should have thought about that before subsidising her parents accommodation costs using tax-payers money?
It is a shame that people here on this site are prepared to judge without knowing the full facts. It is also very sad that the press (not the Gazette) have chosen to intrude into Maria’s family and subject her family to the questioning. Maria is rightly private about her family – she entered politics not her parents or children.
Knowing Maria and her dedication to service and the people of Basingstoke, I am sure that the independent enquiry will resolve all of this and show that she has abided by the rules and been above board at all times.
popleyrebel2
says...
3:05pm Fri 14 Dec 12
“It is a shame that people here on this site are prepared to judge without knowing the full facts”
Un-quote.
Councilor, do you believe the Gazette was wrong to invite us to comment, without, as you put, knowing the full facts” furthermore, when are we ever given the full facts therefore, answer my previous on the Manydown saga
resident62
says...
4:12pm Fri 14 Dec 12
How can anybody who claims to be in touch with society claim this sum of expenses and feel that it is morally acceptable to do so. Four families could live on this sum for a year.
The term public servant does not fit with persons of such low moral attitude, like many of the people who represent us in parliament from all parties, they are there to enhance their own position and have no true understanding of voters feelings.
popleyrebel2
says...
7:13pm Fri 14 Dec 12
Hiliter
says...
11:06pm Fri 14 Dec 12
claims as Maria Miller.That was the end of McNultys political career so we can only hope ..
Other politicians have gone to prison
for less.
Dont be put off fellow bloggers by Donnells prepared Tory central office line in defence of Miller.He is obviously the chosen one now his political future is all behind him.
BugBear
says...
1:48am Sat 15 Dec 12
Robert Donnell wrote:Do you think we are stupid, apparently so. Where do you think we have been getting the news enabling us to form reasonable assumptions about the kind of person who is supposed to be representing our aspirations? Not the Gazette but the main stream media, including The Telegraph, TV and Radio. I have my own reasons for not rating our esteemed MP, reasons I'm not going to go into here but I will say I heard as far back as before the last election, heresay I know, about something not being quite right about her financial arrangements. I discounted the rumours as being untrue, I actually think now I was being too kind.
It is a shame that people here on this site are prepared to judge without knowing the full facts. It is also very sad that the press (not the Gazette) have chosen to intrude into Maria’s family and subject her family to the questioning. Maria is rightly private about her family – she entered politics not her parents or children.
Knowing Maria and her dedication to service and the people of Basingstoke, I am sure that the independent enquiry will resolve all of this and show that she has abided by the rules and been above board at all times.
ThomasPaine
says...
1:07pm Sat 15 Dec 12
Makes you think though. Cllr Finney had to make an apology this was covered in the Gazette for not 'declaring his interests' over the Golf Club. But he hasn't had the decency to resign his cabinet post, still happy to claim the allowance even if he did break the councillors rules.
Maria has been found in need of investigation by the Standards Commissioner.
What gets me though is that she actually had the nerve, shouldn't be surprised really, to threaten the Telegraph. If that doesn't worry us that Ministers and their minions will stoop so low as to actually threaten a newspaper if they publish a story!
If she did what she is accused of, and it seems like the facts are very similar if not identical to other MPs who have been had up in court and sentenced then she surely must resign if she has any shred of integrity.
Although saying that, not one Tory has resigned over the Manydown scandal.
Meanwhile, they are quite happy to carry on regardless.
You cannot escape the strength of feeling on these blog pages. The Tories in Basingstoke are rotten to the core.
But the answer from the Tories seems to be head down still in the trough...'how dare you challenge us'; what utter arrogance.
popleyrebel2
says...
2:05pm Sat 15 Dec 12
It refers to Mr Mc Nair Scott being the chairman of property company Helical Bar.
Quote from ThomasPaine
ThomasPaine says...
12:46pm Sat 15 Dec 12
Interesting.. is this the same Helical, I'd be surprised if there were two in Basingstoke, that responded to the Basingstoke Council 'New Homes' consultation in 2010/11?..all to do with how many homes get built in Basingstoke.. If there is smoke.. Un-quote.
For the sake of clarity, Fact or Fiction????
Hiliter
says...
9:53pm Sat 15 Dec 12
popleyrebel2
says...
1:51pm Sun 16 Dec 12
As previously stated there two issues here, as for the expenses, chances are she will be cleared and the questions is, will come up smelling of roses????
However, did she abuse her position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by trying to suppress the press, furthermore, has she betrayed the victims and therefore, lost control whilst the victims always maintained control and dignity whilst seeking recompense.
Furthermore, questions must be asked, was she experience enough to take on such role and had she the experience to take on press, my own personal opinion, “NO”
Jonty11
says...
1:43pm Mon 17 Dec 12
On the other issue that Cllr Donnell raised (along the lines of don't prejudge when you don't have all the details)...agreed once again!
and I would be more than happy to judge all the details if Maria is happy to post them all here!
Opinions_opinions
says...
2:00pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Wouldn't it be great of Maria Miller put herself in front of her consituents and allowed us to ask questions ? Surely as she is our MP and paid for by us, this should be put to her as a formal request. We would of course invite The Gazette along so they could only report Maria Millers comments instead of actually asking her a difficult question, but then that is what we have to accept from this paper that will never print anything bad about her.
So how about it, who is up for a Maria Miller Question Time ? I'll play Dimbleby.
You will notice the media has gone quiet again over her expenses. Makes you think someone has got to them all.
old biddy
says...
2:02pm Mon 17 Dec 12
popleyrebel2
says...
7:14pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Maria Miller’s special advisor (Joanna Hindley) and David Cameron director of communications
( Craig Oliver) each warned the paper’s editor Tony Gallagher that Mrs Miller was looking at Leveson, now please, in my opinion that the nearest you will ever get to blackmail.
According to Maria Miller her expenses have been audited twice and found to be wholly proper and above board. So why the inquiry and why did both Joanna Hindleyand Craig Oliver react in the way they did???
Can Cllr Robert Donnell comment please?
jonone
says...
12:15pm Tue 18 Dec 12
Theulktimatefarce
says...
11:35am Fri 21 Dec 12
Opinions_opinions wrote:Well, as she never acknowledged any of the e-mails and letters I sent her during the General Election, asking for her position on certain policy matters (also send to other candidates), why would she respond now, with a couple of years until the next election, and of course all the coverup stories coming out now to push this contemptible, hypocritical trough snouter off the front pages?
So here you all go. Email Maria Miller and ask her to explain herself. Ask specific questions that you want the answer to. Don't just let her send you a standard statement. If she does send you a load of rubbish back, send another email until you get the answer to the question you asked. All MP's have to answer each and every correspondance. Her email address is maria.miller.mp@parl
iament.uk so get your fingers to the keypads and start typing. Keep us all updated on the replies. Can someone make a webpage where we can all comment on before the gazette removes this story ?
Theulktimatefarce
says...
11:43am Fri 21 Dec 12
Robert Donnell wrote:It is interesting that the Conservatives maintain she has 'boroken no rules', and indeed this may well, and probably is the case.
It is a shame that people here on this site are prepared to judge without knowing the full facts. It is also very sad that the press (not the Gazette) have chosen to intrude into Maria’s family and subject her family to the questioning. Maria is rightly private about her family – she entered politics not her parents or children.
Knowing Maria and her dedication to service and the people of Basingstoke, I am sure that the independent enquiry will resolve all of this and show that she has abided by the rules and been above board at all times.
By the same token, Jimmy Carr, Starbucks, Google et al had broken no rules, but that didn't stop Dave Cameron castigating them for their immoral behaviour.
I look forward to a similar statement from him on Miller's outrageous, immoral and hypocritical actions.
Opinions_opinions
says...
1:10pm Fri 21 Dec 12
Theulktimatefarce wrote:So true ........ Mr Donnell, I would like to formally ask how you stand on the Carr, Starbucks, Google tax avoidance schemes ? Do you see that as being fair even though they have broken no rules ? It would be good to get Maria Millers thoughts on those companies too. Please, someone send them an email and let us all know what response you get.
Robert Donnell wrote: It is a shame that people here on this site are prepared to judge without knowing the full facts. It is also very sad that the press (not the Gazette) have chosen to intrude into Maria’s family and subject her family to the questioning. Maria is rightly private about her family – she entered politics not her parents or children. Knowing Maria and her dedication to service and the people of Basingstoke, I am sure that the independent enquiry will resolve all of this and show that she has abided by the rules and been above board at all times.It is interesting that the Conservatives maintain she has 'boroken no rules', and indeed this may well, and probably is the case. By the same token, Jimmy Carr, Starbucks, Google et al had broken no rules, but that didn't stop Dave Cameron castigating them for their immoral behaviour. I look forward to a similar statement from him on Miller's outrageous, immoral and hypocritical actions.
kronik says...
1:59pm Thu 13 Dec 12