More important than MPs' expenses are their outside interests

We have heard lots of stuff about MPs' expenses, but much more interesting and much more important are their outside interests. Below is a list of what John Gummer lists as his outside interests. Without picking unduly on Mr Gummer, how will his vote be affected by legislation on financial services advisors?

When we do get to question future MPs for the next Parliament, the most important question is - who pays you and for what?

GUMMER

, Rt. Hon. John Selwyn (Suffolk Coastal)

1. Remunerated directorships

Chairman, Sancroft International Ltd.; consultants providing advice and monitoring in

corporate responsibility and environmental, social, ethical and planning issues.

Chairman, Veolia (formerly Vivendi UK); water companies.

Chairman (non-executive), Valpak Ltd.; not-for-profit organisation for compliance with

packaging waste directive.

Chairman of the Association of Independent Financial Advisers; a representative trade

organisation.

Sovereign Reversions Limited (non-executive); home reversions.

Catholic Herald (non-executive); newspaper.

Sistema-Hals (non-executive director, corporate governance); Moscow-based real estate

development, management and investment company.

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2. Remunerated employment, office, profession, etc.

Articles in: Catholic Herald, Country Life, Estates Gazette, Planning, Evening Standard. I

also chair conferences. The subjects in both cases are usually property, sustainable

development and religious issues. The commitments arise largely from my previous

profession of journalism and all payments go to Sancroft which provides research staff,

information services, and all other facilities. Currently Sancroft would expect about £100,000

in payments, in respect of which I would receive some £30,000 in fees and dividends.

5. Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK)

My wife and I received tickets for the Conservative Party’s ‘Black and White Party’ on 4

February 2009, paid for by Mr Christopher Moran, of London.

(Registered 20 March 2009)

8. Land and Property

A residential and commercial property in London, owned by family.

9. Registrable shareholdings

(a) Sancroft International Ltd.

Comments

[Margaret Burdus]

With so many strings to his bow, how on earth does this man find time to do his "Real" job as MP for Suffolk Coastal?

I read an article a while ago stating that John Gummer lives with his wife and four children near Debenham. If this is true, then that residence must be his primary home and not the secondary home for which he's made expenses claims for quite a number of years.
We read that included in his expenses for the property of approx £20,000 per annum over the past 4 years, was £9,000 per annum for gardening, mole catching and wood chopping etc.
We also read that some of these expenses were claimed on invoices hand written by John Gummer himself and submitted to the 'Fees Office'
This process is laughable!
In my opinion the man should do the decent thing, make full restitution, then resign before the possibility of a sacking.