Sleaze claim MP David Curry says expenses are modest (From The Northern Echo)

Sleaze claim MP David Curry says expenses are modest

10:19am Saturday 21st November 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)

THE MP forced to stand down as the chairman of Commons sleaze watchdog amid allegations that he had been banned from using his constituency home by his wife has dismissed the story as “akin to Harry Potter”.

Conservative David Curry, MP for Skipton and Ripon, in North Yorkshire, faces an inquiry into allegations that he claimed nearly £30,000 for the property in Masham, following reports in the Daily Telegraph.

Mr Curry has admitted having an affair, but defended his record on expenses after being forced to stand down as chairman of the Standards and Privileges Committee – a position he was only appointed to last month.

Speaking from his family home in Saffron Waldon, in Essex, he said: “My wife has not banned me from anything.

I had an affair, there is no denying that. We got over it.

If you were repairing your relationship with someone, you would want to spend as much time with them as possible.”

On his expenses, he said: “My expenses are very modest.

They are completely above board. I am the second cheapest MP in Yorkshire.”

Reaction to the allegations against Mr Curry has been muted among public figures in the North Yorkshire area.

Bernard Bateman, Conservative county councillor for Ripon North, defended Mr Curry, and said he was well respected.

“As far as I’m concerned he is a very good MP for Ripon and I think The Telegraph have been rather unkind,” he said. “Mr Curry has a good reputation in Ripon. As far as I am concerned, I would not say anything against him. I stood against him in the election in 2005 and found him to be a marvellous opponent.

“I have always held him in high regard and I still do.”

Other councillors in North Yorkshire have reacted more cautiously to the news, with several refusing to comment on the story. Councillor Bill Hoult, leader of the Liberal Democrats at North Yorkshire County Council, said: “I think Mr Curry has done the right thing in resigning from his position because it gives him a chance to clear this up.

It’s not something I would like to accuse anyone of doing without knowing the full facts.”

The Conservative leader of North Yorkshire County Council, John Weighell, declined to comment.

The Mayor of Ripon, David Parnaby, said he was surprised by the allegations, but added: “Without knowing the full details of the situation, I would not like to comment or give my opinion.”

Mr Curry has referred his case to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, John Lyon. He said he was willing to share information, saying: “I am not expecting to end up in the Tower of London.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(1)