Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

Just heard on the BBC 1 O'Clock news that several MP's have stated, 'That if they had known what scrutiny their expenses were going to come under, they would not have claimed as they did'. True honest!

A bit like the burglar that said in court, 'If I had known I was going to be caught, I would not have done it'.
Neither is any defence.
I have also heard burglars say, ' I was tempted as the window (of opportunity perhaps) was open'. A bit like the taxpayers pocket, that's been picked.

Both these statements are accurate. The burglar and the MP's are both crooks.

A simple but good analogy, by Richard Beddard of interactive investor,

You have a dog, and I have a cat. We agree that they are each worth a billion dollars. You sell me the dog for a billion, and I sell you the cat for a billion. Now we are no longer pet owners, but Icelandic banks, with a billion dollars in new assets. They created fake capital by trading assets amongst themselves at inflated values, says a London hedge-fund manager. This was how the banks and investment companies grew and grew.

Many people (but not enough) are sent to prison for 'benefit fraud'.

MP's expenses are a benefit!

Won't be moaning here much next couple of days as getting ready for the Coast to Coast walk, with my son.
First thought of doing this about 10 years ago, then as often happens, kept putting it off. Doing it now before I get any older. Will be difficult as without going into detail, many years ago I broke my back. Had no real problem for last 6 years but pulled it slightly last Sunday (bloody typical).
So out of contact with the markets for 2 weeks. No doubt all my shares will zoom up whilst I am away, and dip down on my return, that usually happens.
So forget all those tip sheets. Buy on the 15th, sell before close on the 29th, as thats the day I return. You can't go wrong.

Whilst there are now many examples of fraud among our Honourable Members Of Parliament (a mixed metaphor if ever there was one), the fraud committed by Hazel Blears angers me most. I have sent the following E-Mail to her at blearsh@parliament.uk

Ms Blears,

How can it be that to tell the Parliamentary Expenses Committee that House A is your main home and House B is your second home, therefore gaining expenses on that second home, whilst at the same time telling the Inland Revenue that House B is your main home and House A is your second home therefor avoiding Capital Gain Tax, is not fraud.

One statement is a Lie. This is fraud! You have gained a benefit and like all benefit fraudsters you should go to prison.

You should be totally ashamed of yourself, but I doubt you are capable of shame.

Yours Disgusted,

David *********.

Appreciate she won't even see/read it but it makes me feel a bit better.

There appears to be a higher percentage of crooks in the House Of Commons than there are in our local nick. After all some prisoners who say, " It wern't me gov, you got the wrong bloke" must be Innocent.

Greekman,
Make a complaint to the police.
They are then obliged to investigate.

Morning Tyketto,

See my post 7653. I have already made tentative enquiries, and feel it is best to wait and see (something I am not very good at) if criminal proceedings will be taken as there are many people with more influence than myself making such moves.

I do have over 25 years experience in criminal law, so I will be looking at this deeper next month when I complete my long walk, post 7658.

Note.....It was released today that Elliot Morley has been claiming the interest paid on a mortgage he did not have. To make matters worse, he also admitted that the London house he had designated as his main residence between March 2004 and November 2007, had in fact been rented to Ian Cawsey, the Labour MP for the neighbouring constituency of Brigg and Goole.

Surely at least a prima facie case of fraud.

If I do decide to act re a complaint of crime, I will update this thread.

Greek, On which side of the criminal law. 8-)

I think from memory the swopping houses from home to secondary etc. was advocated as a way with dealing with tax, in many of the FT and other papers. Also on TV.

I listened with interest and saw it as a loophole that the Tax man went along with.

I wonder how many, buying and selling houses over the last 10 years were avoiding CGT.


Anyway, good luck with your walk.

I think they should have barracks for MP's like they have for the Forces. MP's are elected to help us, not themselves!

Good luck with the walk Greek. I did a double walk yesterday, the great house to pub, then pub to house walk. The latter was the most difficult part!

I have already written a letter of complaint to the police.

The reply is below;


Dear Mr Hewitt,

What the F**k are you talking about. Are there any rain forests involved?

Yours sincerely,

Sting.


On a similar note;

On hearing of Peter and Katie splitting up, Madonna has sent her condolances and asked if she can have first refusal on the blind black kid.

Under criminal law I feel false billing would be the way to go re Fraud, or a false statement of fact, IE basically claiming something to which you are not entitled.
If it was down to me I would forget any direct fraud offences and use the associated evidence to go for Corruption in a Public Office.

Been retired now or over 6 years so well out of touch, but to make a false statement to obtain reward is still a fraudulent act.

I think the French had the right idea re the ruling classes with Madam Guillotine.

Went to my local pub last night wearing my 'UK MPs Are Institutionally Morally Corrupt, Democracy is Dead T shirt. Was immediately surrounded by at least 20/30 people (some still sober) who made many positive comments. I have not seen so many people that angry for many a year. The general 'repeatable' comment was relating to what would happen if any such MP or their representative had the nerve to door to door canvas. Also many said they would vote BNP purely as a protest vote.
If this volcano does irrupt it is just what our MPs deserve.

Cheers to all re the good luck, busy today sorting out my 24lb back pack.
When I come back I expect to be reading that all these corrupt MPs have resigned and are being investigated for the offences mentioned.
Look more flying pigs (MPs).
Could they be the same ones that have had their fill from the trough, they were struggling to fly..

lol at the police joke.

Been on a few MPs web sites (makes you sick). Elliott Morley who's site heading states....Elliott Morley MP..On Your Side. The only side he is on is his own. I have also sent, polite but directly blunt e-mails to several MPs stating my intentions should no action be taken.

Will desist now as I am sure many are getting fed up of my posts. I will just steam away quietly to myself.
Sorry to go on so.

Cool down dear boy, cool down. It is only money. Yours and mine!

Saw Trev in Asda today, doing his weekly shoplifting.

Being an inveterate old sod, he had on a filthy old overcoat and a large hat, in a spookily similar shape as a packet of cornflakes.

"Alan, old bean", he shouted holding his hand out to shake and a packet of pork sausages falling to the floor.

Asked how things were he told me it was well and truly on the up, and with luck like his, he would soon be able to afford a proper holiday, not one at her majestys pleasure.

What made him so lucky? He had found that an old cell mate of his , known as Weasel, had got a job as a kitchen porter at Mal Maison, a restaurant so posh it has a salt & pepper menu, and the Maitre d'hotel makes you feel stupid and common.

Weasel had made an offer to Trev. If Trev could see his way clear to looking after a few packages in unmarked boxes for a week or two (y'know, just while the probation officer leaves me alone), then Weasel would let Trev eat in the restraunt and sneak him out through the kitchen prior to the bill arriving.

Knowing that Trev described his accomodation as light, airy and cheap to run, and everyone else described it as a shop doorway, I had to ask what he had done with the packets. Trev tried to tap his nose, and missed. Lets just say that they are also detained at her majestys pleasure, he said.

This left me perplexed, perhaps even confused so I asked for clarification.

Trev had posted them. To himself. In a shop doorway. I asked where he had found the money for the stamps. He grinned so much he exposed both teeth and winked, a sight I will never forget even though I'll try hard. Thats the clever bit, he told me. I'll pay cash on delivery when Weasel wants 'em back, and the packages will be safe with the Royal Mail.

I must say I was mightily impressed with this graduate level thinking from Trev.

Best of all he told me, the packs weren't even dodgy. They just had something plastic in them that Weasel said would be good for bonfire night. Torches he thought. This made me wonder, but that was disturbed as a packet of Asda own brand frozen peas fell from his trouser leg.

"Why own brand, Trev?"2

"Don't be daft, theres a credit crunch on. We should all get cheaper grub. Gotta go, now, Alan. I had a lovely soup at that posh place and I want to make it, but I can't find the main ingredient to nick".
"What was it?"
"Well it tasted like mushroom, but the snobby guy in the tux that served me insisted it was dejour soup, and I can't find a bloody dejour in any supermarket".

Alan, you just have to write that book!!

Most MPs have just taken advantage of their expenses system. How has that made them any different from the majority of the population? Don't forget that company boards make their own rules too. How often have you heard a group from an organisation discussing how to pad out their expenses claim. Some firms encourage it for management as it saves paying tax and national Insurance on the money involved.

The Telegraph's Barclay brothers in Sark?

What have they got to do with price of bread?

Hello Greek -

haven't looked in here for weeks. I see you're doing the C to C - I did it with my wife 5 years ago - a fantastic experience, I'm sure you'll love it.

Are you going west to east, or t'other way?