Posted on 05/29/2010 7:05:02 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LONDON (AFP) – Britain's new coalition government suffered a blow Saturday when a high-profile finance minister, David Laws, resigned after just 18 days in the job following revelations over his expenses claims.
Laws stepped down as Chief Secretary to the Treasury after the Daily Telegraph newspaper reported he had channelled more than 40,000 pounds (57,800 dollars, 47,100 euros) of taxpayers' money in rent to his long-term boyfriend.
"I do not see how I can carry out my crucial work on the budget and spending review while I have to deal with the private and public implications of recent revelations," Laws said in a brief statement to journalists.
The millionaire former banker, a member of the Liberal Democrat junior coalition partners, said he had not disclosed the financial arrangement because of "my desire to keep my sexuality secret".
"I cannot now escape the conclusion that what I have done was in some way wrong even though I did not gain any financial benefit from keeping my relationship secret," he said.
In a letter accepting the resignation, Prime Minister David Cameron described Laws as a "good and honourable man" and said he believed he had been motivated "by wanting to protect your privacy rather than anything else".
Cameron said he hoped Laws could return to the government one day as he had "a huge amount to offer our country".
Laws' role made him deputy to Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, of the Conservative party, at the Treasury.
His successor will be another Liberal Democrat, Danny Alexander, who was formerly the minister responsible for Scotland, Downing Street said.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
The millionaire former banker, a member of the Liberal Democrat junior coalition partners,
The Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London are seen May 7, 2010. The new government is facing its first scandal with the resignation of a minister who reportedly channelled more than 40,000 pounds (57,800 dollars, 47,100 euros) of taxpayers' money in rent to his long-term boyfriend… (AFP/Carl Court)
Cameron said he hoped Laws could return to the government one day as he had “a huge amount to offer our country”.
—
That’s being as charitable as one can be ..
57k in government money given to his homosexual lover....but he is:
“a “good and honourable man””
sigh...
Yeah! Busted 18 DAYS in and still, he has something to offer. Good riddance.
Reminds me of Barney Franks....
both are Liberal DemocRats
Another client number nine?
Other than that, it's still a good idea to put people with serious behavioral disorders in charge of major government offices.
When oh when will this Orwellian charade all come crashing down?
When oh when will this Orwellian charade all come crashing down?
—
When the MoonBeam collides with MEGAton
and HPAQ Fiorina sends Babs babbling
Good Question tho.
Big bankers should be the first to banned from any position in government.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.