MP admits mistake over mailing and apologises

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 11th Jul 2008

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, has apologised for mailing his annual report to residents moving into his constituency in pre-paid parliamentary envelopes. The cost of using the parliamentary envelopes and stationery will be repaid by Mr Burstow.

The apology comes in response to a complaint by Conservative MP for Reigate, Crispin Blunt. The mailing from Mr Burstow was directed at people moving into the area, the covering letter introduced the MP to new residents and explained how he could be contacted if they had need of his assistence. Accompanying the letter was a copy of Mr Burstow's latest annual report, the report was paid for by the Liberal Democrats and contained some political material. Mr Burstow accepts that the letter and report should not have been sent out in a parliamentary pre-paid envelope and has asked for an invoice from the House authorities to refund the expenditure incurred.

Parliamentary Commissioner, Mr Lyon ruled that the material, sent between January 2007 and June this year, should not have been sent in pre-paid Commons envelopes, which are intended for replies to constituents on issues on which they have contacted their MP. But he said the Mr Burstow could legitimately have charged the cost of sending the letters against his parliamentary allowances.

In a letter to Mr Blunt, he said he had accepted Mr Burstow's apology and now considered the matter closed.

Mr Lyon said he would report his findings "informally" to the cross-party Standards and Privileges Committee, which oversees the handling of allegations against MPs, but would not be recommending it should take any action.

Commenting Paul Burstow said, "I am really sorry about this error on my part. The report should not have been included and the letter should not have been in a pre-paid envelope. However, I think it is right that I contact people who are new to the area or have just turned 18 to introduce myself and let them know how to contact me should they need assistance.

"I have produced an annual report to constituents for over 10 years now. These reports have always been paid for out of funds raised by the local party and delivered door to door by my supporters. The reports are mainly about my work as an MP in Westminster and in the constituency. It was an honest mistake on my part to let copies be posted to people new to the area."

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Mr Burstow has written to the Parliamentary Commissioner, John Lyon CB, making a full apology. Following discussions with the House Authorities an invoice has been raised for the prepaid envelopes and stationery used which Mr Burstow will pay from private funds.