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Don't have a bercow
Politician defends spending €240 on a car to go just over a kilometre
John Bercow says he is “always mindful” of the cost of travel.
6.15am, 25 Jul 2015
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BRITISH SPEAKER OF the House John Bercow has been criticised after details of his expenses were made public.
John Bercow is taking particular heat for claiming a £172 (€240) chauffeur-driven car journey from the House of Commons to Carlton House Terrace – a journey of 1.12 kilometres or 0.7 of a mile.
It would have taken Bercow 16 minutes to walk that distance and a taxi would have cost around £15.
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Figures released to The Guardian show that Bercow also claimed £367 (€518) for a car journey to Luton, where he delivered a speech on the need for MPs to restore their reputations after the British expenses scandal.
Bercow also claimed:
£158 (€223) on a car to bring him 1.8 miles to Margaret Thatcher’s funeral
£524 (€740) on a car to see the Archbishop of Canterbury enthroned
£144 (€203) on a car 1.5 miles to a charity dinner
£168 (€237) on a car from the train station to his house, 2.5 miles away
£1,300 (€1,836) on cars and hotel accommodation attending the funeral of a Labour MP
The claims were called “an obscene waste” by a campaign representing tax payers, but Bercow’s office defended him, saying that he was always mindful of the cost of his travel.
““The Speaker is always mindful of costs, and travels standard class in the UK and when away from home, stays in hotels that offer value for money.
“In some instances a car service is required to facilitate timing requirements. ”
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I was traveling from Tralee to Limerick this evening, on approach there were road calming measures set up to prepare drivers for the scene of an accident and a diversion into the countryside to circumnavigate the carnage ahead . I knew something terrible had happened ahead in the distance one I saw the first checkpoint. Very sad altogether for those involved. My thoughts go out to all involved . I saw the scene ahead at the time, very frightening and disturbing , it looked chaotic. Keep your concentration on Irish roads folks at all times. Be safe
How many people must die on this stretch of road between Rathkeale and Newcastle West before the council wakes up ! It is 100 kph ,Is this a safe speed ,if so what’s wrong?
I was driving on this road an half hour before it happened. There was a speed van on the road- I have witnessed previously dangerous overtaking and then braking once they see the van. Add to that the appalling weather and it was a recipe for tragedy.
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