Kaufman claimed for rug

May 18, 2009

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SENIOR Labour politician Gerald Kaufman was also dragged into the expenses controversy last night, amid claims he used taxpayers' money to export a rug from New York.

The Telegraph alleged the former environment minister and MP for Gorton claimed £1,851 for a rug imported from an antiques centre in the US.

They also report that he had an £8,865 claim for a television rejected. And he is alleged to have put in a claim for £28,834 - of which £15,329 was paid - for improvements to his London flat after telling Commons authorities he was `living in a slum'. Last night the M.E.N. tried to contact Mr Kaufman, but he was unavailable.

Senior Scotland Yard officers and prosecutors will meet next week to decide whether to take action over claims MPs misused expenses.

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nyb, ex manc (18/05/2009 at 10:34)

Kaufman has been an MP so long now, that he has probably lost touch with his constituents and the reality of their daily struggle to make ends meet. He should stop his pathetic bleating and go away; time for a change Mr Kaufman, you are a disgrace.

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (18/05/2009 at 10:45)

What amazes me is when something is going for the offering these people are everywhere but when there is something going wrong they are always "UNAVAILABLE". I wonder when they need votes will they become "UNAVAILABLE THEN" .

Guten Tag, Manchester (18/05/2009 at 11:10)

Time to go Mr Kaufman. Some of your constituents have enough problems paying for a carpet or TV licence, let alone paying £8,865 for a fancy telly. You're totally out of touch with Gorton and Manchester. Stay in London.

I M Freeloader MP, Westminster (18/05/2009 at 11:15)

Time for him to go. He's had a good run; earned a few quid, cliamed a bob or two, never had a proper job. Go chuck it. Your lot will be out soon anyway.

Thomas The Tank, Rusholme (18/05/2009 at 11:51)

Ha! Ha! Let's see you brush this one under the EXPENSIVE RUG MR Kaufman. Hoodwinked Gortons constituency for donkeys years now they unfortunately can see the truth! But not on huge 50" Bang & Olufsen screen as us mere mortals can not afford those kind of luxuries. Oh what a pleasurable day this is turning out to be. Wait till the police.

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (18/05/2009 at 11:54)

And this is the guy you "VOTING SHEEP KEPT VOTING FOR?" Labour the party for the working man.whoever voted them in under that idea is totally out of time.

Formerly Aussie Blue - Back In Manc, UK (18/05/2009 at 12:29)

It's really quite simple Gerald:

1. Apologise
2. Repay the money
3. Quit

Hamish Macbeth, Whitefield (18/05/2009 at 12:31)

""SENIOR Labour politician Gerald Kaufman""

Yes - a good old Labour Boy ... like the Speaker Gorbals Mick who was a Union man.

They have given up the beer and sandwiches and tasted the champagne and vol au vents and quite like them. In that sense they have become their enemy - they have become the toffs and sleazy MPs of the Major era !

It's amazing how many of these MPs are "unavailable" at the moment - how many surgeries have been cancelled - and how many are not to be found at their first, second or third homes.

Mr Manchester (18/05/2009 at 12:34)

He does need a rug, but not that kind.

Pushkin (18/05/2009 at 12:45)

Who dresses him? He looks like Ronald McDonald!

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (18/05/2009 at 13:18)

We need a public inquiry where all these MPs and councillors are made to account for their benefits and how much they have claimed.So that the taxpayer can see where their money goes.And the ones who are found guilty should be jailed.But no doubt they will bury their fiddles.And the judge and the jury should be "Joe public".Not professional people just the ones that matter "US THE PAYING PUBLIC"

Andanotherthing, Mcr (18/05/2009 at 13:38)

Ali Baba and the 40 theives always needed a carpet.

Esso Blue, Manchester. (18/05/2009 at 14:15)

I want to be the new speaker of the house of commons then we will have a laugh

Andanotherthing, Mcr (18/05/2009 at 14:28)

Esso You can not hold such high office just because you want it. You have to be ellected like .....Gordon Brown. Ok it's yours Esso, are you gonna wear all the funny clothes ?

Guten Tag, Manchester (18/05/2009 at 14:45)

"Who dresses him? He looks like Ronald McDonald! - Pushkin" I remember seeing him many years ago canvassing next to Dickenson Road market wearing an expensive looking suit and a deep suntan. Even then he looked totally out of place. More like a celebrity then an MP. Him like the rest of these so called politicians have hoodwinked us all for too long. I had to pay my dad's TV licence last year because his pension is so low and his utility bills went up. Maybe Mr Kaufman could sell his eight grand TV and purchase a bulk load of TV licences for Gorton pensioners? No, I thought not. Oink, oink.

Formerly Aussie Blue - Back In Manc, UK (18/05/2009 at 15:14)

Esso for Speaker

The Very Cheeky Monkey, in the trees (18/05/2009 at 15:25)

I've never liked him. Always comes across as smarmy and a bit too smooth. This is my thirds attempt at posting on here.

Joe Pub, Manchester (18/05/2009 at 15:47)

Ace, can I be on the jury.

The Very Cheeky Monkey, in the trees (18/05/2009 at 16:22)

Ace Shakespeare , manchester said " ... And the judge and the jury should be "Joe public". Not professional people just the ones that matter US THE PAYING PUBLIC".

Like a peoples's court style of thing then? Like they used to have just after the revolutions in France and Russia, or like in Nazi Germany, or like in Kampucia under Paul Potts (brilliant singer) or in lots of other situations where normal decent society has ceased to function and a murderous elite claim to represent the public. Too dangerous Ace, too dangerous by far!

Ace Shakespeare , manchester (18/05/2009 at 16:58)

Joe Pub, Manchester
You sure can and we could sort this out in a week. and at very little cost to the taxpayer..

Joe Pub, Manchester (18/05/2009 at 18:40)

Ace, I have all ready decided my verdict, ***** now where do I claim my expences from.

Twistinmymellons, Mancunia (18/05/2009 at 18:58)

Not sure if the bald/rug gag has been done but anyway...moving on - what a shining example of true socialism. PLEASE can every enfranchised man and woman make their feelings known to by spoilt ballot papers at the Euros. I would say vote outside the "big" 3...but UKIP and the BNP might take us seriously...

Andanotherthing, Mcr (18/05/2009 at 19:43)

Douglas Hogg is winning trotters down. Wallowing in a moat of his own making. Fantastic.

Angelene19, Manchester (19/05/2009 at 21:22)

What's wrong with a 40" LCD TV that can be picked up for about £600 (not that we should be paying for anyway) ? but it shows the ultimate greed when they think they have the right for the ultimate top quality goods. A Bang & Olfuson TV costin £8000 no less.

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