Health Minister Hope will repay £41,000

From @LabourList

Health Minister Phil Hope has just released this statement:

“The anger of my constituents and the damage done to perceptions of my integrity concerning the money I have received to make my London accommodation habitable has been a massive blow to me that I cannot allow to continue.

“I have worked very hard over the last twelve years to represent and fight for my constituents and their opinion of me as a person matters hugely to both myself and my wife Allison. We feel very badly hurt by what has happened and although I kept to the rules laid down by Parliament I cannot allow this dreadful perception about what I claimed in allowances to continue. Whatever the right and wrongs of the allowance system this issue has fundamentally changed the view people have of me and that is something I cannot bear.

I have decided to try to restore the trust and relationships I have with my constituents. I am returning all of the money that I have claimed for fittings, furniture and household items that I received over a five year period – the sum of £41,709. This will be paid to the House authorities as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made.”

The repayment follows Hazel Blears’ pledge last night to pay £13,000 capital gains tax on her second home.