Elliot Morley

In the words of the now suspended MP Elliot Morley, sloppy accounting was to blame for his expenses claim on the mortgage interest on his 'second home' in Scunthorpe. The mortgage expired in March 2006 and over a twenty one month period following the expiration of the mortgage he claimed for a total of £16,000.

When asked to provide evidence for the mortgage, on what was his 'second property', Mr Morley produced a bank statement and highlighted a standing order to the Cheltenham and Gloucester building society for an endowment fund for the value of £800. Using irrelevant evidence to justify his claim rather than any authentic documentation, which would demonstrate his fraudelent activity, suggests that he was trying to cover his actions.

In March 2008, Mr Morley was contacted by the fees office and informed that the existing documentation for his mortgage claim, namely his irrelevant bank statement was insufficient. Upon being asked to provide further evidence the MP said that this would be a bit difficult as his circumstances had changed. It is difficult to comprehend how a change in circumstances could affect his ability to forward on his mortgage agreement with the bank or building society to the fees office.

Failing to recognise that his account was being credited with £16,000 over a two year period, providing irrelevant evidence to the fees office and arguing that any further information would be difficult to obtain is not sloppy accounting or irredeemably stupid. It is suggestive of a general unwillingness on the behalf of Mr Morley to hand over any documentation that would nullify his false expenses claim. His actions can easily be construed as fraudelent, subsequently criminal proceedings should be brought against him under the Fraud Act 2006.