Carry on claiming: MPs could still get public money to pay mortgages, says watchdog
By Tim Shipman
Last updated at 10:49 AM on 25th November 2011
MPs could carry on claiming taxpayers’ money to pay their mortgage interest and pocket allowances without receipts simply for turning up to work under proposals floated by the expenses watchdog.
The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority yesterday asked voters and MPs to let them know whether politicians should again be able to pocket thousands of pounds a year to pay for the upkeep of their second homes.
The move would dramatically tear up the tough rules imposed since the expenses scandal two years ago.
Under a cloud: MPs could still claim thousands of pounds of taxpayer cash for second homes – simply for turning up for work
It could also lead to the watchdog caving in to MPs who have complained that they would prefer flat rate allowances merely for doing their jobs, rather than having to submit expenses claims with receipts to justify their claims.
The plans were last night denounced by a former sleaze enforcer as ‘outrageous’.
IPSA published details of its second annual review yesterday, saying that it opposes such radical changes to the current expenses regime.
But a consultation document made clear that the watchdog wants to guage public views on plans for ‘lump sum’ payments and the return of mortgage interest being paid from the public purse.
New MPs cannot claim for mortgage interest but those elected before 2010 can do so until August 2012. After that date all MPs will only be able to claim for a rental property – ending the scam by which MPs renovated properties at taxpayers’ expense before selling them on and pocketing large profits.
Since last year MPs have only been able to claim public money when they submit receipts.
The consultation says IPSA still believes expenses and costs should remain ‘based on the reimbursement of costs incurred’.
But it goes on: ‘There remains a number of MPs who believe that there should be a return to lump sum allowances which would, amongst other things, allow MPs to continue to fund their mortgage interest.
‘In recognition of that, IPSA is seeking views on whether MPs should be given allowances to spend at their discretion, or if respondents support continuation of a reimbursement system.’
Some MPs have argued that claiming for mortgage interest is actually cheaper for the taxpayer than claiming rent. They have made public complaints about the current system at hearings of the MPs’ committee which is reviewing the legislation which set up IPSA.
An IPSA spokesman said: ‘IPSA’s position on this issue has not changed but it is inviting views in this consultation to ascertain whether public opinion has shifted on this issue.’
The consultation – which runs until 20 January – is also asking the public and other interested parties whether MPs should have greater freedom to pay members of their office staff more money. They are currently forced to pay each member of staff according to fixed pay bands.
Dismayed: Sir Alistair Graham
Greater flexibility could allow some MPs to funnel even more taxpayers’ money to their wives and relatives.
The Mail revealed earlier this month that 124 members have put at least one relative on the public purse – up from 106 in 2008.
The consultation was met with dismay by Sir Alistair Graham, the former chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
‘It sounds outrageous that they are even suggesting that anyone should be able to claim without receipts. I thought the argument was settled a long time ago as far as not paying mortgage interest was concerned.
‘This sounds a lot like what has happened before when a culture develops whereby pressure develops to persuade IPSA to change its fundamental approach.
‘The public will be outraged if there is any change in the fundamentals of the expenses scheme.’
Benedict Garrett who is also porn star Johnny Anglais CAN carry on as a teacher
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 7:11 PM on 31st August 2011
A teacher who led a secret double life as a stripper in pornographic films was today sensationally allowed to continue working in the classroom.
Benedict Garrett, 31, who moonlighted under the alias Johnny Anglais, was given a slap on the wrist by the General Teaching council – but was told he is free to continue teaching children as long as he steers clear of his extra-curricular employment.
The disciplinary committee heard that Mr Garrett, who was head of personal, social and health education at Beal High School in Ilford, east London, had been stripping in clubs and working as a naked butler in his spare time.
Benedict Garrett – otherwise known as Johnny Anglais – was today given a slap on the wrist for being a stripper in his spare time, but was told he can continue working in the classroom
Chairman of the panel Derek Johns, today told him that the committee was ‘content’ he would not repeat his behaviour if he carried on teaching.
He said: ‘You have stated that you will continue to advocate the morality and acceptability of your involvement in the adult industry and argue that it should not be inappropriate for a teacher to work as a stripper or in pornographic films.
‘However, the committee is content that you recognise the widely held public view that such work is not acceptable conduct for a teacher.
‘Therefore, in relation to risk of repetition, the committee considers it is unlikely that you will seek to return to the teaching profession whilst working as a stripper or in pornographic films.’
Result: Mr Garrett at the General Teaching Council hearing in Birmingham today
Mr Garrett, who uses the pseudonym Johnny Anglais, had admitted working in the adult industry but argued that it did not amount to unacceptable professional conduct since none of his behaviour was illegal.
On his website, Mr Garrett, from Hackney, east London, offers services including lap dancing, stripping and serving food in the nude at private dinner parties.
He describes himself as ‘A man with a mission… to unashamedly demonstrate the art of pleasure in the realms of fitness, sex and entertainment’.
A snapshot from Benedict Garrett’s website, where he tells how he has been ‘teaching yuong people to be open-minded’
The website, which could be easily accessed by pupils, features pictures of Mr Garrett in a series of torso-baring outfits.
His online gallery shows him dressed as a fireman, a ‘gentleman’ in just underwear and a waistcoat, and a policeman.
He also describes how he has taught ‘young people to be open-minded, respectful, tolerant of others’ for the past four years.
The General Teaching Council panel in Birmingham earlier heard how Mr Garrett ‘undertook work of a pornographic nature’ and ‘performed as a stripper in public places’ while employed by at Beal High School, in Ilford, Essex, between January 1, 2008 and July 16, 2010.
Mr Garrett, who represented himself at the hearing, told the panel how he would speak openly with students – some as young as 11 or 12 – about sexual matters.
Website: Teacher Benedict Garrett worked as a stripper while at Beal High School, in Ilford, Essex
Giving an example of an exchange with a year 7 pupil, he said: ‘The student asked “sir, what’s a vibrator?” ‘I told them what it was.’
In an impassioned thirty-minute statement in his defence, he argued that teachers should be able to keep their professional and private lives separate.
Announcing the panel’s conclusions, Mr Johns told him: ‘Having carefully considered the submissions and applied its own judgment, the committee considers that performing as a stripper, publishing details of your performances on a dedicated website and acting in pornographic films, amounts to behaviour which involves a breach of the standards of propriety expected of the profession.
‘The public expects teachers to be role models within the school community.
‘In the committee’s judgment, the prevailing view of society is that the nature of your involvement in the adult industry whilst working as a teacher is conduct which falls below the standard expected of the profession.
‘The committee therefore finds that you are guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.’
Role model: Benedict Garret taught sex education at Beal High School in Ilford, Essex
Mr Garrett taught at the school from January 1 2008 until July 16 last year.
An investigation was launched after students reported seeing their teacher in a trailer for an adult film.
Mr Johns said the panel believed the reprimand was a ‘proportionate’ sanction and told Mr Garrett: ‘The committee has been impressed by the respectful and professional way in which you have represented yourself at this hearing generally and the submissions made by you in mitigation.’
Mr Garrett was also found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct in relation to messages he exchanged by email and on Facebook with Year 10 students. He had admitted the allegation.
Mr Johns said: ‘The committee considers – and you accepted – that by engaging in communication with the students at the school via text message, email and Facebook you were guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.
‘The committee received a copy of the school’s policy on communication. It considers that this policy is clear and explicit.
‘It states that you must never ‘friend’ a student on a personal social networking site.
‘You breached this policy and used Facebook under a false name to enter into discussions of a personal nature with students at the school. Further, you exchanged texts and emails with students.’
The chairman added: ‘In the committee’s judgment, you repeatedly failed to establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries in your relationships with children and young people.’
An allegation that Mr Garrett left inappropriate voicemail messages on the mobile phone of the school’s associate head teacher was unproven.
The reprimand will remain on the GTC’s register for two years.
Mr Garrett had admitted working as a hard-core porn star before qualifying as a teacher.
Dr Narendra Sharma ‘got sedated abortion patients to carry out obscene acts on him’
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 4:52 PM on 11th August 2011
Accused: Mr Sharma faces a misconduct charge for allegedly using sedated patients to carry out ‘obscene acts’ on himself
A consultant used the hands of sedated patients to perform obscene acts on himself during abortion procedures, a medical watchdog heard.
Dr Narendra Sharma, who was working at the Marie Stopes clinic in Fallowfield, Manchester, as a locum anaesthetist, is accused of moving a woman’s hand under the operating table during one of the procedures.
Dr Sharma is facing a misconduct allegation at the General Medical Council after two medical workers made claims against him.
One staff member at the clinic said she saw Dr Sharma take a woman’s left hand and move it under the operating table during an abortion procedure.
Healthcare worker Julie Ackroyd, said she also noticed Dr Sharma exposed. A second medical worker has also made allegations against the doctor.
The hearing follows a criminal trial at Manchester Crown Court in April 2009, where the father-of-two was acquitted of three charges of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without their consent.
The hearing was told that 24 patients had been booked in at the clinic on April 18, 2008.
Dr Sharma was in the operating theatre with a surgeon, an operating department practitioner and Mrs Ackroyd.
He was stood to the left of the patient. Tim Smith, counsel for the GMC, said Mrs Ackroyd saw Dr Sharma take the patient’s left hand below the table.
Dr Sharma was accused by other medical workers at the Marie Stopes in Manchester
He said: ‘She observed what she described to the police as being a stroking movement which she considered to be inappropriate.
‘At the time, Dr Sharma was standing right up to the table. She could not see what it was that he was doing.
‘It would seem that it went on long enough for alarm bells to ring with her.’
Mr Smith said Dr Sharma then placed the patient’s hand back on her body and he was seen to be exposed for about two seconds.
He said: ‘It is the GMC’s case that Dr Sharma was using the hand of this semi-conscious patient undertaking this procedure for his own sexual stimulation and gratification.’
Claim: The General Medical Council hearing in Manchester heard Dr Sharma acted ‘inappropriately’ towards patients
Mrs Ackroyd reported it to the department practitioner. Mr Smith went on to outline another alleged incident on April 29, 2008.
A staff member said he saw Dr Sharma place a patient’s fingers through the zip of his trousers underneath his shirt during an abortion.
The hearing was told that senior staff were informed of the incidents and Dr Sharma was told that his ‘services were no longer required’.
Dr Sharma then sent an e-mail to the clinic manager and the head of UK Marie Stopes operations saying he had struggled to find the right size of trouser.
He said he had used medical tape to secure the trousers he had been wearing but a kicking patient caused the tape to come off and his trousers to fall.
Dr Sharma denies the misconduct allegations. At his trial, he claimed he was the victim of a culture of racism and bullying. The fitness to practise hearing in Manchester is listed for 15 days.
The hearing continues.
Categories: News Tags: 'acts, 'got, Abortion, Carry, him', Narendra, obscene, patients, sedated, Sharma
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