Woolas challenge to exes payback

Phil Woolas MP — doesn’t accept amount reclaimed

PHIL Woolas has been named on a leaked document as one of 70 MPs that have challenged how much they have been ordered to repay from their expenses claims.

The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP has challenged the amount Sir Thomas Legg, the man brought in to review every claim following the furore last year, had recommended should be handed back.

All claims by every MP were scrutinised and Sir Thomas last year instructed about 200 MPs to return hundreds of thousands of pounds in “excessive” second home claims. When many MPs appealed, former appeal court judge Sir Paul Kennedy was appointed to examine their cases.

Full details will be published later this week about what money politicians will have to give back to the Commons, as well as any bids to have that amount reduced.

Mr Woolas said: “I will make a statement on Thursday. There is a technical argument to reconcile the figures and I have asked the fees office for information. I will, of course, pay back if asked but I do not expect to be.”

Last week Liberal Democrat Taunton MP Jeremy Browne was the first to reveal his appeal had been accepted by Sir Paul Kennedy, the former judge appointed to oversee the appeals process.