Fat Cat MP charged (You could not make it Up)

David Chaytor MP is to have criminal charges brought against him for false expenses claims. The Bury MP, claimed a total of £12,925 for his rent payments (on a flat he owned) between September 2005 and August 2006.He stopped the claims for rent when he bought another flat in the same block using a mortgage. While keeping the original flat, he told the Commons his new property was his second home. This flipping of homes meant he could claim more than £11,000 in stamp duty and legal fees on his new purchase.

In August 2007 he began claiming rent for another property he had designated as his second home. This cottage belonged to his mother Olive, who had moved into a care home because she had Alzheimer’s disease. The Commons had introduced new rules in July 2006 preventing MPs from claiming expenses on properties rented from relatives. Nonetheless, Chaytor claimed a total of £5,400 over the six months that he rented the flat from his mother. The relationship would not have been obvious to the Commons authorities as his mother, who died last year, had remarried and used the surname Trickett.

HOW CHAYTOR FLIPPED

January 2004 Chaytor pays off mortgage on Westminster flat

September 2005 Flips second home to the flat and claims £12,925 in “rent”

September 2006 Buys another flat in same block and flips second home. Claims £11,500 in stamp duty and legal fees

August 2007 Flips second home to mother’s Bury cottage and claims £5,400 in “rent”

February 2008 Flips second home to Todmorden and claims £1,500 for furnishings