Cheeky Lembit rented out taxpayer-funded flatPosted by Jamie at 8 59 PM on Saturday, May 23
LIB DEM Lembit Opik rented out his taxpayer-funded home—despite Parliamentary rules which “strongly advise” MPs NOT to sub-let their second homes.
But he went ahead anyway — and still claimed tens of thousands of pounds in expenses.
The Mid-Wales MP, already under fire for claiming £40 for the cost of a summons for non-payment of council tax, insisted that by taking a tenant he had SAVED taxpayers cash.
Yet he claimed more than £14,000 a year in second home allowance for four years — demanding a total of £68,031.
Opik, best known for his stormy relationship with Cheeky Girls star Gabriela Irimia, said: “Whatever the tenant paid me in rent was reduced from my allowances.
“I actually was worse off because I paid tax on the rent. So no one could accuse me of trying to maximise my claim.”
LIB DEM Lembit Opik rented out his taxpayer-funded home—despite Parliamentary rules which “strongly advise” MPs NOT to sub-let their second homes.
But he went ahead anyway — and still claimed tens of thousands of pounds in expenses.
The Mid-Wales MP, already under fire for claiming £40 for the cost of a summons for non-payment of council tax, insisted that by taking a tenant he had SAVED taxpayers cash.
Yet he claimed more than £14,000 a year in second home allowance for four years — demanding a total of £68,031.
Opik, best known for his stormy relationship with Cheeky Girls star Gabriela Irimia, said: “Whatever the tenant paid me in rent was reduced from my allowances.
“I actually was worse off because I paid tax on the rent. So no one could accuse me of trying to maximise my claim.”