MP Kali Mountford’s second home £12,000 windfall

Jun 4 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

There is a clarification at the foot of this article

MP KALI MOUNTFORD received a “windfall” of around £12,000 when a private investor took over her second home in London.

But the Colne Valley MP said she donated the money to charity, after paying tax on it.

It was paid out for her former flat in Dolphin Square in Westminster – originally owned by the local council.

In 2006 an American company took over Dolphin Square and MPs living there were offered a lump sum in exchange for either moving out or paying a higher rent.

Ms Mountford chose to remain there and moved from a studio flat into a one-bedroom flat.

She received a figure just short of £12,000 and paid capital gains tax on the sum then donated the rest to local and national causes.

Ian Leedham, Kali’s husband and office manager, said: “Kali lived in Dolphin Square and moved from a studio flat which she had lived in for nine years and was 14ft by 14ft.

“She applied to go to a one bedroom flat and at the time there was a new company buying Dolphin Square so nobody was allowed to move until that happened.

“As soon as they bought it Kali moved to a one bedroom flat which helped with her disability.

“We made no profit out of moving.

“We were offered money at the time of the building being purchased. She spoke to the Fees Office and took that money and paid capital gains tax on it which we were advised we were liable for.

“The Fees Office said they didn’t want the money.

“It was three years ago. I can’t remember the exact figure, it wasn’t quite £12,000 and it went to local causes and some national causes too but she didn’t keep the money.