Frank Cook - An Apology...

...his not mine of course.

Let us read his explanation:

Stockton North MP Frank Cook has today described as ‘inexplicable, embarrassing—and deeply regrettable’ the report that amongst his Parliamentary expenses for 2006 was a note referring to a donation a Battle of Britain Memorial service.

The MP said that, whilst he could not understand why the note had been submitted to the House of Commons Fees Office and said they were ‘entirely right’ to have rejected it.

Said Mr Cook “Anyone who knows me will understand that there is no way in which I would seek intentionally to make a claim for a donation made at a church service or to a charitable cause—in over 26 years as a Member of Parliament I must have attended hundreds of services and other similar events and never once have I sought to claim for money I have paid as a donation or for a wreath.

“I must assume that the story in the Sunday Telegraph is correct and, as I explained to them and to other journalists who have contacted me, I cannot recall the note to which they have referred—and I certainly do not understand how it could have been submitted to the Fees Office. The Sunday Telegraph reports that it was rejected by the Fees office—and thank goodness for that.

“Whilst I cannot understand how the note came to be submitted, I have to accept responsibility for its submission, hold my hands up and apologise. It was a genuine mistake and I stress again—I would never deliberately make a claim of this kind.”

And so where did this 'note' come from that so inexplicably found its way to the Fees Office? He can hardly - one assumes - have asked for a receipt on the day, given the circs. So who wrote the note if not he? And if so, why so? And having done so, why and how did this note come to be passed for payment?

We all have bundles of receipts in our wallets and purses that - where the occasion merits - are striped down for reimbursement. But not a 'note' we have carefully crafted for a clear purpose.

Did he indeed not bother to check what 'notes' were being sent in for claim?

Chiltern Hundreds for that man if he has a shred of decency. Only the three available, so he'd better hurry.

On which note - don't we love the shop that now boasts the warning sign: 'Only two MPs allowed in at any one time.'

Bravo! The nation speaks.