MP claimed £31,000 for damage covered by insurance
Labour MP Ruth Kelly claimed MP expenses to pay for repairs to flood damage on her home despite being covered by building insurance, the Telegraph reported this week.
The former transport minister used her taxpayer funded allowance to pay for £31,000 of repairs to her constituency home in Bolton following a burst water pipe.
Miss Kelly said she can no longer recall why she didn’t claim for the repairs on her insurance.
“I acted in good faith throughout and have broken neither the spirit nor the letter of the rules,” she said.
Some of the claims Miss Kelly attempted to make following the flood damage – such as £2,000 for a 37-inch plasma TV – were reduced for being excessive.
Another of her claims – £1,625 for a garden table, chairs, and parasol – was rejected outright.
In 2004, MP Fabian Hamilton was ordered to pay £295 for damage caused to his bathroom and kitchen by a leaking pipe when he confirmed that the cost could be met by his home insurance policy.
Miss Kelly resigned as transport secretary in September 2008 to spend more time with her family. She plans to stand down at the next election.
Category: Insurance News
Comments (1)
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Hi David,
As reported by the Bolton news, an unoccupancy clause meant that the water claim would be turned down because the second home was empty.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/4388262.Storm_brews_over_Ruth_Kelly_insurance_claim/
“Finally, yesterday lunchtime, Ms Kelly was able to confirm that yes, she had a policy, and no, she would not have been able to make a claim as it contained a specific clause which meant she would not be covered as she was not living in the house full-time”.