LOCAL MP QUESTIONS PRESCOTT'S PERKS

12.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th May 2006

Lorely Burt MP writes to the Prime Minister

Lorely Burt, Liberal Democrat MP for Solihull, has written to the Prime Minister asking him to justify John Prescott keeping all the salary and perks of the job, even though he no longer has any ministerial responsibilities.

The Deputy Prime Minister was stripped of his departmental responsibilities in Tony Blair's post-election reshuffle but keeps his 'grace and favour' apartment in Admiralty House in London and country residence, Dorneywood, in Buckinghamshire. He also keeps the same ministerial salary he previously held.

Commenting on her letter, Lorely Burt MP said,

"Like a number of Silhillians, I'm concerned that taxpayers money is being spent on giving John Prescott the salary and perks of a minister when he doesn't have any ministerial responsibilities."

ENDS