Reigate MP Crispin Blunt told to stop claiming on the home where his children live.

9.18.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 17th May 2009

Crispin Blunt

Jane Kulka, Reigate Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate comments on the recent article in the Surrey Mirror about Tory MP Crispin Blunts' excessive expenses.

"I would like to add a few comments to the recent Surrey Mirror article concerning Reigate MP Crispin Blunts' expenses over the past 12 years. It seems that Mr Blunt has managed to use the Parliamentary expenses system "within the rules" to fund one house in Fulham, one in Charlwood and one in Horley. All outside of his Reigate constituency.

There still seem to be some questions that Mr Blunt should answer;

What was the moral justification for declaring his Fulham home as a second home in 1997, when he lived there with his family most of the time?

In addition, he bought a dilapidated house in Charlwood, which he renovated using taxpayers money and then sold in July 2004 for £224,000. Does he think it was morally acceptable to make a profit on the sale of the house in Charlwood, that had been subsidised by the tax payer? If not, then will he be returning the profit to tax payers?

Between 2004 and 2005 there seems to be a quiet period. This is where Mr Blunt had rented a property in Bell Street, Reigate during the run up to the 2005 general election.

After the 2005 election, he left the Reigate constituency again and bought another property in Horley for £485,000, claiming £16,000 for stamp duty and legal bills.

Even if, as he claims, his expense claims are within the rules, neither of his houses are within the Reigate constituency.

People feel let down by national politicians. They should act now to restore faith in our parliamentary democracy. There has to be radical reform of MP's expenses system".