Book Description

This is the 18th report from the Committee on Standards and Privileges (HCP 1188, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780215524942) on a complaint against Ms Dari Taylor MP, for Stockton South. The complaint against Ms Taylor, by Mr James Wharton of Stockton South Conservatives, concerned the possible misuse of stationery and postage provided by Parliament, for letters sent between August and October 2007. In total, six letters were sent, with the Parliamentary Commissioner reaching a separate conclusion for each letter, as to whether the letters represented an allowable use of Incidental Expenses Provision and of House of Commons stationery and postage. The case against two letters was dismissed. The Commissioner concluded that in three cases, official House of Commons stationery provided by the House and pre-paid envelopes were misused, and that in a fourth case, official House of Commons stationery purchased by Ms Taylor was misused. The Committee therefore agrees with the Commissioner's conclusions. The Committee further concluded, that they strongly deprecated the continued misuse by Ms Taylor of House stationery for political purposes and also expresses regret that Ms Taylor has continued to dispute parts of the Commissioner's findings and has offered no apology. In conclusion, the Committee states Ms Taylor should pay the House authorities the sum of £500 and sunmit an unequivocal written apology.