'Double jobbing to cease in 2011'
A REVIEW of MPs expenses has recommended that the practice of double jobbing cease from May 2011.
Sir Christopher Kelly's report will be keenly felt in Northern Ireland where 16 out of the current 18 MPs also serve as MLAs at Stormont.
Mr Kelly's review also proposes a ban on employing family members.
A number of MPs, including Peter and Iris Robinson, Jeffrey Donaldson and Gregory Campbell are all known to have relatives working for them.
This change will not be implemented until the end of the next Parliament.
Controversially, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life has said that Sinn Fein, who fail to take their seats at Westminster, can continue to claim hotel expenses when in London.
Unionists have argued republicans should not be eligible due to their refusal to enter the House of Commons chamber.
Other proposals following a UK-wide public outcry on MPs expenses, include the abolition of mortgage claims and reduced travel claims.
DUP leader Peter Robinson welcomed the publication of the Kelly Review.
He claimed the party made a number of recommendations to the review panel.
"The DUP supports the highest levels of openness and transparency," he said.
"Indeed, that is demonstrated by virtue of the fact that most of our recommendations to Sir Christopher have been adopted. There is a strong correlation between DUP recommendations and Sir Christopher's findings."
He added: "With regard to the issue of dual mandates, I am pleased that the DUP is the only party that is committed that by the end of the next Parliamentary term our representatives will only hold one mandate. We are the only Northern Ireland party to make such a commitment to the people."
Commenting on double jobbing, UUP deputy leader Danny Kennedy, strongly endorsed Mr Kelly's findings.
"The fact that the report emphasises that outside of Northern Ireland there is only one other double-jobbing MP – Scottish Nationalist leader Alex Salmond – demonstrates the full nature of this scandal.
"This is an abuse created by some parties in Northern Ireland. It is the DUP and Sinn Fein who are the culprits, abusing public trust and confidence by allowing all of their MPs to double- or triple-job in the Assembly."
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