Wirral South MP Chapman faces uncertain future over expenses claims

May 20 2009 Bromborough and Bebington News

WIRRAL South MP Ben Chapman spoke yesterday of his horror that his name has been dragged into the current expenses scandal.

Mr Chapman has reacted angrily to the allegations, as possible suspension from the party looms, describing himself as “horrified” to find that “my name has been dragged into the press”.

He stands accused of continuing to claim for the full cost of a mortgage that had been substantially paid off, thus reducing the monthly payments by more than £1,500.

Between December 2002 and October 2003 the cost of the mortgage on a property in Lambeth, south London, dropped from £1,900 a month to £380 a month, netting Mr Chapman more than £15,000 in total.

He says the claims were fully endorsed by the Fees Office, who police MPs’ submissions, and he “acted in good faith throughout”.

Ben Chapman declined the opportunity to speak to Wirral News, but in a statement said: “At the time I spoke in detail to the Department of Finance and Administration at the House of Commons, discussed my situation with them and obtained their advice on what I should do from an expenses point of view.

“That advice was that I should continue to make the same claims under the additional costs allowance as before.

“I have acted in good faith throughout.

“I have at all times acted specifically on the advice of, and with the agreement of, the Department of Finance and Administration at the House of Commons, as the documentation will make perfectly clear.

“My discussions with the Fees Office are ongoing.”

But many of his constituents feel the damage has been done.

Kenny Gaynor, 52 said: “He should pay the money back, hold his hands up and say sorry.

“He’s a good MP and he made a mistake, but we all make mistakes.

“He needs to admit that he was in the wrong.”

However others were more circumspect.

Christopher Power, from Port Sunlight, said: “In our experience, Mr Chapman is a very good MP and this has happened because of a very poor system that needs to be changed.”

Ben Chapman’s four Labour colleagues across Wirral so far remain unscathed by the revelations, with Frank Field publishing his expenses online, Angela Eagle promising to release hers this week and Stephen Hesford saying he would be “happy” for the public to examine his receipts.