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Duck Island MPSir Peter Viggers, Tory MP for Gosport, Hampshire, asked the British taxpayer to fund an island for his ducks at his country estate. He also claimed money for someone to hang his Christmas tree lights and billed the taxpayer for 28 tons of horse manure. |
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MP for 25 yearsFloating duck islands are designed to protect ducks from foxes. It is reported that Sir Peter chose a 5ft high 'Stockholm' duck house, modelled on an 18th century building in the Swedish capital.Sir Peter has been an MP for 25 years. He is a member of the Treasury select committee and served as an industry minister in the Thatcher government. He currently represents the Electoral Commission in the Commons. |
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Dunged RosesAccording to the Daily Telegraph, Sir Peter was paid almost £30,000 of taxpayers' money for 'gardening' over three years. The horse manure cost £500.One bill included £6,960 for gardening, £1,800 for grass cutting and estate management, £533.23 for garden design, £460 for pest control, and £250 for irrigation. Sir Peter submitted 'sample invoices' of £782.50 and £750. |
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Horse ManureIn a statement, Sir Peter said: 'The claims I made were in accordance with the rules, and were all approved by the fees office' - the so-called 'concentration camp guard' defense. Sir Peter has agreed not to stand at the next election. He will retire with a lump sum and a pension paid by the taxpayer.This is the second time a Tory MP's been caught dunging his roses at taxpayers' expense. David Heathcoat-Amory, MP for Wells, Somerset, made a total of 19 claims for horse manure between 2004 and 2007, totalling £388.80. Each bag of dung cost around 70p, which means more than 550 were bought. |
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