The 'Swish' Family Robinson

[Doogie Browser]

The NOTW may be a rag but it comes up with some great headlines!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7986031.stm

[ExiledGael]

Quality.
Can't wait til summer when every expense down to the last cup of tea has to be made public. This has been going on far too long.

[Maguire01]

Good headline alright. Although they're not actually out of line with any of the other politicians - just looks a lot worse when you combine it for them as a couple. And that £570k would presumably include a number of staff both at home and in London.

But yes, a good overhaul of the whole expenses system appears to be long overdue.

[johnthebanker]

Wot about yer woman in England tried to claim her husbands pornos on exspenses ffs biggest shower o gangsters going

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

All the craps coming out now, wait for the public backlash - sadly I think not, the greasy politicans will as usual worm their way out of this one as well, with a little help from their friends - Stephen Nolan, the DUP's lackey.

[Minder]

All the craps coming out now, wait for the public backlash - sadly I think not, the greasy politicans will as usual worm their way out of this one as well, with a little help from their friends - Stephen Nolan, the DUP's lackey.

In fairness GDA they are not the only politicians claiming expenses and the most annoying thing about most of the politicians is they are not breaking any rules claiming these amounts. The porno kid aside obviously and a few other high profile cases.

[nifan]

Thats some shocking money ont he table.
The sooner is is all accountable the better.

I heard one uk politician on the radio complaining that they shouldnt have to account for every cup of tea. Fair enough get a small per diem to cover stuff like that, but everything else should be accounted for.

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

All the craps coming out now, wait for the public backlash - sadly I think not, the greasy politicans will as usual worm their way out of this one as well, with a little help from their friends - Stephen Nolan, the DUP's lackey.

In fairness GDA they are not the only politicians claiming expenses and the most annoying thing about most of the politicians is they are not breaking any rules claiming these amounts. The porno kid aside obviously and a few other high profile cases.

True they all have their snouts in the trough, though some deeper then others.
On the rules thing, your right, seemingly they are allowed to claim up to £250 per day meal allowance, without having to produce receipts!! FFS disgraceful.

[Minder]

I see Sinn Fein are getting it tight now about expenses..........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7989281.stm

[Maguire01]

I see Sinn Fein are getting it tight now about expenses..........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7989281.stm

From that article:

A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Sinn Fein MPs do not receive a salary from Westminster, nor do they employ any family members. Sinn Fein makes no apology for refusing to sit in the British House of Commons.

"We also make no apology for ensuring that people who vote for Sinn Fein get the same democratic entitlements as everyone else."

I understand that SF's MPs are entitled to these expenses, but what exactly are the Sinn Fein voters getting from these entitlements? Does anyone know what SF business is carried out in London for voters?
Obviously most of the work should now be done at Stormont - presumably the main reason for politicians from here to be in London is to participate in votes in the Commons. If they're not doing this, what else are they doing?

[Orior]

Are there any videos of Peter Protestson giving Martina Purdy jip?

[screenmachine]

That's a serious amount of dry cash being forked out to all involved, never mind the fact that they weren't anywhere near stormont for the vast majority of last year.
The thing which annoys me the most is how a complete baffoon like Sammy Wilson can be paid that amount of money for the work he does.  Anything he seems to come out with is negative and he offers very little to the human race as a whole, never mind the 6 counties.

[Donagh]

I understand that SF's MPs are entitled to these expenses, but what exactly are the Sinn Fein voters getting from these entitlements? Does anyone know what SF business is carried out in London for voters?
Obviously most of the work should now be done at Stormont - presumably the main reason for politicians from here to be in London is to participate in votes in the Commons. If they're not doing this, what else are they doing?

As far as I know they have a office and a couple of full time staff doing the same as other Parliamentary staffers, keeping an eye on relevant legislation, NIO shenanigans, lobbying, writing letters on behalf of constituents etc...   

[ziggysego]

That's a serious amount of dry cash being forked out to all involved, never mind the fact that they weren't anywhere near stormont for the vast majority of last year.
The thing which annoys me the most is how a complete baffoon like Sammy Wilson can be paid that amount of money for the work he does.  Anything he seems to come out with is negative and he offers very little to the human race as a whole, never mind the 6 counties.

He's good craic on Twitter though. Last night he was wondering could he claim back his gambling losts as expenses!  

[Donagh]

He's good craic on Twitter though. Last night he was wondering could he claim back his gambling losts as expenses!  

What way does that work Ziggy - do I pay for text messages that I receive from someone else? I remember using it a few years ago and it was free to receive them but from reading the website it seems different now.