Kirklees MP's tight-lipped as sweeping changes to expenses leaked

Oct 29 2009 By Barry Gibson

SWEEPING changes to the system of MPs’ expenses have been leaked.

Details of Sir Christopher Kelly’s recommended new rules emerged yesterday.

But MPs in the Huddersfield area remained tight-lipped about the proposals.

Sir Christopher’s report – due to be published next week – includes a ban on MPs employing family members and an end to the controversial mortgage interest payments.

Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford employs her husband Ian Leedham as office manager.

Yesterday he said: "We’re not going to comment on this because it’s a leak, we won’t comment until we see the final report.

"It’s just speculation at present, we don’t know the timescale."

Calder Valley MP Chris McCafferty employs her husband David Tarlo as her parliamentary assistant.

He said: "We’re waiting for publication before we comment on the record. Let’s get the decision first."

Both MPs are stepping down at the next election.

Meanwhile Shahid Malik’s office made clear yesterday that the Dewsbury MP no longer employs his father Rafique.

From 2005 to 2008 he was paid for two days a week of casework. The MP’s father now works one or two days a week voluntarily.