Gummer's mp expenses are mown down by legg

11 February 2010 | By Tracey Scott

Aifa chairman and Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal John Gummer has repaid £29,398 in expenses deemed excessive by Sir Thomas Legg’s review.

Gummer claimed for gardening, lawnmower servic- ing and cleaning, which were retrospectively classified as excessive in Sir Legg’s review of MPs’ expenses.

Gummer came fifth on the list of MPs with the biggest bills to repay, after Barbara Follett, Bernard Jenkin, Andrew MacKay and David Heathcoat-Amory.

Last month, Money Marketing reported that Gummer is expected to step down as Tory MP at the next general election to focus on the campaign against climate change.

In September last year, Gummer faced criticism after it was revealed that he earns nearly £700 an hour for his work at Aifa.

The Commons’ register of interests showed that Gummer earned £2,083 for three hours of chairing meetings for Aifa, and £1,666 for spending 20 minutes on the phone contributing to a board meeting for Sovereign Reversions, equating to £83 a minute.

Yellowtail Financial Services managing director Dennis Hall says: “The irony is that when MPs are caught out as a result of rules current at the time, they are asked to pay the money back. When the industry is hit with retrospective rule changes from the FSA, it can put paid to some people’s livelihoods. But, unlike some other MPs, at least John Gummer has kept his head down and repaid the money.”

Gummer was unavailable for comment.

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