Jim McGovern, MP: “It wasn’t the £24, it was the principle”

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Jim McGovern, MP for Dundee West, defends his decision to take his expenses claim to an independent tribunal, which has resulted in a £27,000 legal bill, which the taxpayer will pay. The Labour MP's initial £24 claim was rejected by IPSA (The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority) - the body which independently monitors and controls MPs’ expenses, pay and pensions. He lost the tribunal and the taxpayer will now pay IPSA's £27,000 legal bill.