Clare Short wrongly claimed £8,000

12 April 2012

Former international development secretary Clare Short wrongly claimed more than £8,000 in parliamentary expenses, it has been reported.

Ms Short allegedly claimed the full cost of her mortgage for two-and-a-half years despite being entitled to charge only for the interest, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Ms Short, who now sits as an independent MP after having quit Tony Blair's Cabinet over the Iraq War, paid back the money after the error was pointed out by the Commons Fees Office in 2006.

The Daily Telegraph said Ms Short only agreed to pay back the sum of £8,436.36 after complaining that the Fees Office had not spotted the mistake earlier.

"I, of course, accept that I should make a repayment but I think your office should accept some responsibility for this situation," she wrote in a letter to the Fees Office.

"I was not clear about the rules on capital and interest and always sent in documentation and am surprised your office did not pick up the problem."

Ms Short told the paper: "When I found out that I had been making a mistake, I was embarrassed and irritated that it took the Fees Office so long to pick this up.

"I paid what was due and corrected future claims. I think this is an example of the Fees Office working as it should, if a little belatedly."

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