Weaver Vale MP Mike Hall says expenses are not behind his decision to quit

Feb 11 2010 by Oliver Clay, Chester Chronicle

MP Mike Hall has denied any link between his standing down as an MP and the Parliamentary expenses scandal.

Last Thursday Mr Hall apologised for his part in the scandal - two days after he announced he was to stand down at the next election due to ill health.

On Thursday he agreed to repay £12,639 to the taxpayer in light of a review published by the Parliament’s Members Estimate Committee.

The report revealed that Mr Hall did not keep to the Government’s official guide to the rules and principles of claiming expenses - the Green Book. The report said:

Mr Hall was paid £10,364.28 between 2004-8 for cleaning, laundry, dry cleaning and ironing. This exceeded the recommended allowance of £2,000 per year by £2,364.28.

He was paid £250 per month for petty cash from April to August 2004, which is not allowable under Green Book rules.

He received £250 per month for incidental expenses in September and October 2004. Incidental expenses are not allowed under the Green Book rules.

He claimed £8,789 for household sundries between November 2004 to March 2008, and £24 a month for 11 months in 2008-9, but no receipts were provided.

Speaking to the Chronicle he said: “Last Thursday’s expenses announcement didn’t influence my decision to stand down on health grounds.

“I am standing down because of a long standing health condition that needs a change of lifestyle for me to have the chance of a full recovery.”

In an official statement regarding the expenses repayment he said: “I fully regret the whole episode on Parliamentary allowances and expenses.

“I make a full and unreserved apology to my constituents about this matter.”