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Salmond's Blair impeachment expenses claim examined by watchdog

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Published Date: 13 July 2009
A COMPLAINT that Alex Salmond wrongly used taxpayers' money in a bid to force Tony Blair from office over Iraq is to be studied by the Westminster standards commissioner, it was disclosed today.
The commissioner, John Lyon, has accepted a complaint from Labour peer Lord Foulkes who accused Mr Salmond of "outrageous" behaviour.

The attempt to force Mr Blair from office over his handling of the war with Iraq was launched in 2004 by the SNP
and Plaid Cymru in Westminster.

During the Westminster expenses controversy last month it was disclosed that taxpayers were charged more than £14,000 for legal advice on impeaching Mr Blair.

The legal bill was split among Scottish and Welsh Nationalists MPs, and Mr Salmond claimed for his £790 share.

Lord Foulkes said today that Mr Lyon was to look into his complaint, which was limited to Mr Salmond "in the first instance".

The commissioner said in a letter to the peer that his role was to consider complaints where a complainer had provided sufficient evidence "to justify me making at least a preliminary inquiry" into whether there had been a breach of the rules.

"In essence, your complaint is that Mr Salmond claimed against the Incidental Expenses Provision to meet the cost of party political activities, contrary to the rules of the House," he said.

"Having accepted your complaint, I have written to Mr Salmond inviting his comments.

"Once I receive his response, I shall consider how best to proceed."

Lord Foulkes said today: "I am pleased that John Lyon has agreed to investigate my complaint against Alex Salmond.

"The issue is not about whether the Iraq war was right or wrong.

"It's not even about whether the impeachment action was right or wrong.

"It's about whether legal advice about it should be paid for by the taxpayer out of Mr Salmond's office costs allowance.

"I think it's quite wrong for public money to be used for a party political campaign and I hope and expect that John Lyon will find that is the case."

A spokesman for Mr Salmond last month said the Nationalist parties had been "absolutely" right in their bid to hold Mr Blair to account for the war.



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1

TheDisplacedGlaswegian,

Edinburgh 13/07/2009 17:36:07
Y A W N... more wean's stuff from Foulkes. Foulkes does nothing to better either Scotland or England. He does anti work - he gets in the way and costs us all a fortune (a lot more than £750). What adoes he think of the £500,000 stolen from us by the ex Glasgow east labour MP who managed to resign and slip away with his and his family's pockets stuffed full of our cash?

Anyway, how is a group of Scottish and Welsh MPs investigating the legality behind the war 'party political activities'? As far as I'm concerned, I'd rather our money was used for this type of thing as opposed to Foulkes and his like stuffing their pockets and claiming for fancy duck houses.

How can
2

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 17:59:15
#2 & 3

Get a life rufus.

If they`d managed to impeach Blair, I would have given them the £790 myself.

No comment from the Baron about avoiding capital gains tax, lining your families` and your friends` pockets or porn for your spouse.

How very New Labour.
3

Alan B,

13/07/2009 18:11:49
Foulkes is fast becoming a joke.

The sad truth is no matter whether Blair was right or wrong entering the war, he lied publicly. A prime minister should not be above the law and should have been dealt with accordingly.

4

Tris,

13/07/2009 18:18:10
Mr Foulkes clearly has too much time on his hands now that summer is upon Holyrood and he can't waste our time and money asking about Space Hoppers, or what the First Minister got for Xmas, so he has to busy himself with this nonsense.

Like Desmo #4, I'd happily pay for Blair to be impeached, and they could take Mr Foulkes with him just for being a waste of time.

Still, there's a old saying about stones and glass houses and the people who live therein, and I'm thinking that rumours have it that Mr Foulkes might be the subject of some inquiries himself......
5

qohldr,

13/07/2009 18:21:21
I get the feeling that the Nats believe it is wrong for any parliamentarian to claim from the tax payer except the SNP who they seem to think can use tax payers money for anything they like.
6

Marga,

Edinburgh 13/07/2009 18:22:31
So it's "party political" now to object to the Iraq war and try to do something about it? About on the same level with the duck house, is that it?

And "in the first instance" only Salmond, in spite of the expense being split with others? Aided and abetted by the "Westminster standards commissioner", ex-Labour MP? I'm with Desmo on this, start the collection now if this 790 has to be returned.
7

Herry Oaksters,

13/07/2009 18:46:59
Raving mad Foulkes is a complete nutter.
What does big mouth no brain lard gin bottle think about Blairs lies regarding wmd.
The drunken fool is a laughing stock.
8

,

13/07/2009 18:47:25
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
9

Alan B,

13/07/2009 18:47:43
#qohldr

You may not have noticed the expenses scandal was about mps abusing the expenses rules for personal gain.

You only have to read the pages of the scotsman to see how ridiculous foulkes has become. This is not a politician who is honourably standing up for what he believes is right. This is politician who just loves being in the headlines and whose opinion the scotsman reports as being fact and news as it reports labour press releases. If you continually make allegations and they are silly and unfounded you end up looking a fool. That is what foulkes has become. So even if he was to find something worthy of highlighting he has next to no credibility left.

10

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 18:58:24
#7 Queenie

"the SNP who seem to think they can use taxpayers money for any thing they like."

I, and millions of taxpayers like me, took to the streets in organised protests against the illegal invasion of Iraq.

It didn`t make a blind bit of difference in the end because Blair and Broon were so hell-bent on sucking right up the dung funnel of the trained chimp in the White House.

Any attempt at impeachment, therefore, has the de facto backing of a hell of a lot of taxpayers, whether you like it or not.

If you want examples of politicians who thought they could do what they liked whatever the cost to the taxpayer, then you need look no further than the Labour and Tory MPs, whose largesse has been splattered all over the news for months now.

11

Lee John,

13/07/2009 19:02:01
FFS Foulkes FO.OK?
12

Lee John,

13/07/2009 19:03:06
and as for this rag thinking this is a story .... Heavens above.
13

Obanite,

13/07/2009 19:11:45
As a Labour supporter, and, I like to think, a fair and balanced one, I can only say that Foulkes' behaviour is very embarassing. Thats all I can say.
14

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 19:22:06
#15 Obanite.

Thank you for your honesty.

These days, it`s a scarce commodity.

Please believe me when I tell you I`m not being facetious but I`d be grateful if you could explain how you reconcile being "fair and balanced" with being a "Labour supporter"
15

TheUnionisBritish,

13/07/2009 19:32:27
Since he became an MSP, how much is he costing the taxpayer for his upteem questions etc? I think he is making a fool of himself. It is reading as though this is becoming a personal fued, his hatred of Alex Salmond is ruling his head. This is going to backfire on him.
16

Brianwci,

13/07/2009 19:34:43
The irony here is his Lordship is complaining about £790 in legal fees while happily ignoring the £billions this illegal war has cost, not to mention the scores of young men who have lost their lives during this war.

But then the British Nationalists get so few chances to attack Salmond I suppose they have to resort to manufacturing them.

However nobody with a brain is going to buy into this garbage, it will just rebound on the Brit Nats once again.
17

qohldr,

13/07/2009 19:44:33
#12
What international organisation or UK organisation that has the power and authority to do so has decree that the invasion of Iraq was illegal.

Back to what I said about the Nats, They are happy that tax payers money is being used to fund the national conversation even though it did not go in front of Parliament to be voted on yet complain that tax payers money is being used to fund Calman when Parliament voted for it.
They complain about MPs expenses yet see nothing wrong with Salmond claiming his full monthly quota on food when he was not even in London.
18

dhu loch,

inveraray 13/07/2009 19:57:13
Iraq war unpopular,Alex Salmond popular!Did anyone at Labour HQ know what Foulkes was doing?If the Iraq inquiry throws any blame or doubts Tony Blair's way,then Salmond and the SNP will gain big time.I can just see Alex looking down from the moral high ground.Foulkes is a complete liability and Labour need to dump him now.
19

Observer,,

Glasgow 13/07/2009 20:15:46
Well done Foulkes you have just opened the door to the entire Iraq question again. People will be more outraged that b;air wasn't impeached than anything else. Congragulations your Lordship your efforts to secure independence have not gone un-noticed. Have a drink on me.
20

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 20:31:56
#19 Queenie

Ever heard of "The United Nations" ?

A quiet, dignified intellectual called Kofi Annan was Secretary General at the time.

Maybe you should ask HIM about the invasion`s legality, not me.
21

qohldr,

13/07/2009 20:51:02
#22
Yes I have heard of the United Nations but I do not know of any resolution declaring the invasion or war illegal.
Maybe you can tell me what resolution has been passed by the UN declaring it illegal.
22

Alan B,

13/07/2009 21:00:47
#qohldr

What gives you the impression that the war is illegal only if their is a UN resolution declaring it so.

For a war to be legal it has to be mandated by the UN. It was not so it was not legal from that perspective.

The only argument for legality of this invasion is that Sadam broke the ceasefire agreement from the original war and that allowed recommensement of the original war.

That is dubious grounds. And to make it clearly legal you would have needed a clear UN resolution. The US could not get one and hence went forward with the invasion.

Secondly the first gulf war only mandated freeing Kuwait and not invading Iraq. This makes the recomensement argument difficult to really make.
23

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 21:04:36
Dearie me Queenie.

You do your regiment a disservice hiding, as you do, behind Uncle Sam`s veto.

Invasion, for the purpose of regime change, is a breach of international law, as I suspect you know.

But you don`t have to take my word for it.

Mr Annan`s judgement is in the public domain
24

Scotindy,

Los Angeles 13/07/2009 21:16:01
Bring on the investigation, then bring on the IMPEACHMENT of t blair, it all makes good sense to me. Oh and bring o the REFERENDUM ON INDEPENDENCE and be done with this pathetic union with england. Bring it all on.......
25

Harry Shanks,

Rutherglen 13/07/2009 21:17:59
#27 Rab The Ranter

You are quite clearly mentally deranged.

That's all.
26

Herry Oaksters,

13/07/2009 21:19:46
Foulkes in full flow.at the taxpayers expense of course.
What a disgusting creature.

http://tinyurl.com/n9cfca
27

The Tin Man,

13/07/2009 21:30:02
Interesting to see that people who are in charge of making laws need to spend money on people to tell them what laws they made.

I do find the idea of a 'legal war' quite amusing, though. People going to war for their countries etc is sooo old skool. Now people go to war for lawers?
28

alanh,

ek 13/07/2009 21:34:46
would the lordship not be better off trying to find some policies for his discreditted party. There may be some hidden behind a sofa somewhere form him.

It would be nice if some hournalist could investigate and find out how much his lordship is costing us with his pathetic party questions where he is simply trying to score points
29

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 21:53:54
It`s not often I would agree with you Tinny.

"War" in itself should be illegal but no-one`s yet come up with a way to legislate for "Man`s inhumanity to Man"

Under UN law however, there are rules of engagement just as there are strict criteria on permissable justification for commencement of hostilities.

In the case of Iraq, breaches of the former followed breaches of the latter.

Some of us won`t let that go.

30

Master of conspiracies,

13/07/2009 22:07:48
That will be the same Lard Foulkes who thinks it's okay for New Liebore parasites to claim for everything including the kitchen sink - and the plug to go with it. What an odious fat hypocrite. Practice what you preach Lardass.
31

qohldr,

13/07/2009 22:12:26
#25
What Mr Annan, you, me or anybody else judges is irrelevant.
There are bodies that have the authority to decree the war illegal, the ICC, UN, EU, HoL and more None have.
Individuals can state and argue the illegality of the war as much as they want.
Until one of those bodies declare the war illegal it will remain legal.
I do not believe Blair will stand trial as none of these bodies will declare it illegal as it will not only be Blair who will have acted in an illegal manner but all those who followed his and his governments orders.
From the top brass all the way down to the ORs will be guilty as following orders as I am sure you know is no defence.
32

Overthescore,

13/07/2009 22:30:10
Of all the legal expenses that comes out of the public purse this seems to me like a very small sum well spent. Whether anyone agrees with this or not will depend upon their perspective, and perspective on a subject as we all know is influenced by where you stand. I like most people normally stand somewhere to the north of politics where we can look down on it and make tutting noises. However that said it is reasonable to assume the legal advice favoured the unlikelyhood of success of impeachment in wich case Lord Foulkes aught to welcome the the cost as money well spent.
33

Desmo,

Lumphinnans 13/07/2009 22:44:57
#39 Queenie

Being unable, or is it unwilling, to comprehend what constitutes a "Legal" war under UN law is a pretty poor show for a soldier, isn`t it ?
34

eamon,

13/07/2009 22:45:09
#39

Sadly what you say is true. None of these bodies will say the war was illegal and Blair wont stand trial. This is not because it wasnt illegal, or because he doesnt deserve to stand trial, but because they dont want to upset the Americans. Its a sad world when the bodies set up to prevent these injustices from happening are scared to act for fear of being shut down.
35

person who's right,

Edinburgh 13/07/2009 22:58:13
Nice one George!

He's just reminded people about Labour's achilles heel (Iraq), and that Salmond was right about it. And that, amid the ridiculous, fraudulent behaviour from many MSPs, Salmond was actually doing something useful and honourable with our money.

This man is arguably one of the SNP's prize assets.
36

,

13/07/2009 23:04:47
Comment Removed By Administrator
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37

Arn av Gothia,

Gothia 13/07/2009 23:04:47
So what have we got here ,A few meals,a toblerone,and now a legal fee for trying to out an illegal war .Is this the best Labour can do?? Maybe they should have a read of the Telegraph over the past weeks , 2 Labour lords suspended for the first time in centuries ,a speaker sacked ,and lord knows how many MPs named as shysters. Maybe George Foulkes should ask why he was himself elected .If it was to the greater good of his constitunents ,or Scotland then he should be going after the Devines Joyces Martins and Marshalls of this world eh ?
38

morris,

edinburgh 13/07/2009 23:09:59
The Westminster standards committee DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH.
What standards?
His Lardship has no room to accuse anybody of anything!


Of course Salmond will be found guilty just in time for the Glasgow By election.
Keep it up Unionists.Every day you just drive a bigger wedge between Scotland and your rotten parliament.

It does not matter what the dipsticks at Westmidden say.
The court of public opinion knows Salmond was correct.
Blair lied through his teeth and Broon was in on it too.

Robin Cook resigned for God sake.
He was only the foreign secretary from 97 to 2001 for God sake.

Of course Blair is guilty and only a total moron would believe otherwise.
That does not mean he will ever answer for his crimes. We all know it does not work like that.
LABOUR are above the law again and again and every single time it stinks to high heaven.

DISGUSTING PARTY GET THEM OUT
39

For Scotlands Future,

Vote for the SNP 13/07/2009 23:24:52
Why is Lord Haw Haw himself not being investigated. He inherits a house in London, transfers it into a company that he owns, and then rents it back to himself and claims the rental from H.o.L Expenses.

I would love to see whether the relevant tax returns accurately reflect this arrangement.

As for Salmond. Expenses are meant to reimburse him for conducting parliamentary duties. Trying to impeach Teflon Tony definitely falls into that category. What is Lord Haw Haw saying, that he claimed it under the wrong expenses heading??
40

eamon,

13/07/2009 23:40:47
#48

If you mean at #2 and #3 it was just his usual tripe. Nothing offensive, bit surprised myself it was removed. Forgotten the name he used, sorry, but it was a new one.
41

,

14/07/2009 00:00:55
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42

Il Penseroso,

Inverurie 14/07/2009 00:08:47
The debate on Newsnight showed yet again that Brown is wrong, he's telling lies and the Armed Forces Minister did not answer one question from Paxman. Yet all the brainwashed NewLabour supporters cling to a sinking ship Trouble is they are still there for nearly another year. The MPs go on holiday and more of our troops will be killed, maimed or injured.Now that's what I call "sincere condolences".They are horrible people who cannot understand the meaning of TRUTH.Why the Hell should our troops and others be killed to changse a culture that has existed for centuries? How can Brown say that our presence in Afghanistan keeps our streets safe.It was with the help of Blair and Bush that this war was constructed and now Brown says, we have the numbers and the equipment to "move forward". One yard, two and how many dead? The man is a dangerous and cowardly fool. Put on a flack jacket and take part in the action! Then come back and tell us we are winning!
43

,

14/07/2009 00:09:23
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44

Il Penseroso,

Inverurie 14/07/2009 00:17:40
My post clearly supports the action to impeach Blair, whatever the cost.Salmond should now impeach Brown.Blair and Brown should be answerable to an international Court.In America it looks like Bush, Chenney and Rumsfeld (and maybe even Condi)will face prosecution for their crimes against prisoners. And about time! At least in America they are prepared to wash their dirty linen in public. Here in Great (?) Britain the criminals in government are protected by an unwritten constitution and the Establishment.It stinks.
45

Mercutio,

FALKIRK 14/07/2009 00:43:10
The Rt Hon Alex Salmond MP, MSP and First Minister has used public money to pay for legal advice on impeaching Mr Blair.
Will Mr Salmond please provide the taxpayer with a copy of the advice he received at their expense.
46

hoblar,

14/07/2009 01:37:01
That plonker Foulkes gets the same amount for one day of shaving and turning up in the useless house of Lords.

A hundred grand a year for Foulkes to lord it up at our expence isn't on.
47

steve 1511,

aberdeen 14/07/2009 06:16:30
foulkes a fine example of a labour politician,feeds at the trough,talks gibberish,and claims for anything and everything
48

,

14/07/2009 06:25:07
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49

Nikostratos,,

14/07/2009 11:55:56
#46 morris

snp supporters admit Alex salmond is guilty even before the investigation....


"Of course Salmond will be found guilty "

 

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