Mr Harry Cohen: seventh report of session 2009-10 report and appendices, together with formal minutes

House of Commons papers 310 2009-10

Corporate Author:

Great Britain Parliament House of Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges

Author:

Sir Malcolm Rifkind (chairman)

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

A complaint was made that over a five-year period the Member for Leyton and Wanstead, Harry Cohen, had claimed more than £100,000 against the Additional Costs Allowance (ACA) for his designated second home in his constituency, having identified as his main home a house in Colchester, Essex. It was also pointed out that there were entries by Mr Cohen in the Register of Members' Financial Interests to the effect that he owned and in one year received rental income from a property in Colchester. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards investigated (his report appears as an appendix in this document). Mrs Cohen's ill-health meant that from April 2004 their constituency home became their main home, and the Commissioner finds that Mr Cohen was in breach of the rules in identifying Colchester as the main home. The Committee agrees with the Commissioner that Mr Cohen should have continued to register the rental income from his Colchester house, following the initial registration in 2001 and notes he has now complied with registration requirements. The Committee also agrees that Mr Cohen was in serious breach of the rules in claiming Parliamentary allowances against the constituency property which was in effect the main home. Mr Cohen should apologise with a personal statement on the floor of the House and the full amount of resettlement grant (£65,000) which would be payable when he leaves the House (at the end of this Parliament) should be withheld.

Extent	[2], 118p.	ISBN	9780215543516
Size	N/A	Price	£15.50
Binding	Paperback	Published	22 Jan 2010
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges

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