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Alan Keen defends position on expenses

Posted by Ed Saunt on Nov 20, 09 03:04 PM in Local Authority

MP Alan Keen has defended his decision to sign a petition calling for MPs not to be punished retrospectively for their expenses claims.

Mr Keen, who represents Feltham and Heston, has signed a parliamentary motion which asks Sir Ian Kennedy, the chairman of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority(IPSA), to introduce rules which adhere to the concepts of 'reasonableness and proportionality' and not to apply rules retrospectively.

The motion also suggests MPs should get a pay rise by calling on IPSA to tackle the 'heart' of the problem and ensure that salaries are 'set independently and beyond the interference of Government or Parliament'.

Mr Keen said: "I have argued for over a decade that it is unacceptable that MPs have to vote to decide their own pay levels. It has also been proven over and again that it is also unacceptable that government should be able to interfere with the recommendation of an independent body.

"I believe we are close to replacing the old system with a new regime but it is vital that everyone concerned speaks out to ensure every voice is heard so that, once and for all, we get a system that is fair and understandable and acceptable to the public."

Mr Keen and his wife Ann faced criticism earlier this year after the Chronicle revealed they had claimed almost £40,000 on second home in Waterloo while their 'main home' in Brentford was derelict and in a state of disrepair.

Sir Ian is charged with implementing reforms suggested by independent watchdog Sir Christopher Kelly, which include abolishing the second home allowance for MPs who live within 60 minutes of parliament and a ban on employing relatives. Both of these measures would affect Mr Keen as he employs his son David as his constituency manager.

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