James Purnell's expenses

[Gromit]

"James Purnell, the Work and Pensions Secretary, avoided paying capital gains tax on the sale of his London flat after claiming taxpayer-funded expenses for advice from an accountant, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.

The Cabinet minister saved thousands of pounds after informing the parliamentary authorities that Manchester was his "main" home while the tax authorities considered London to be his "primary" residence. Mr Purnell claimed for a �395 accountant's bill that included "tax advice provided in October 2004 regarding sale of flat" on parliamentary expenses which are intended to cover the costs of running an MP's office."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps -expenses/5358109/MPs-expenses-James-Purnell-a nd-Geoff-Hoon-avoided-tax-on-home-sales.html

Could Brown have kept Purnell in the cabinet after the Daily Telegraph's revelations? Was he another who has jumped (rather spectacularly disloyally) before he was pushed?

[jno]

it's going to be hard for Brown (and Cameron) to find untainted people to put in the cabinet. I suppose drafting in Ann Widdecombe is out of the question?

[rov1200]

Brown was intending to promote Purnell to become Education secretary in this reshuffle but he refused. Like other members of the cabinet he can see no wrong with his dealings. To resign as he did seems like trying to pass the buck or limelight onto Brown.

[youngmafbog]

It will go past the expenses row, unless the politian has commited an offense. There are simply too many on both sides of the house.

Hatred of labour is far deeper, but some blinkered labour suppoerters prefer to focus on the expenses row, that can be shared, rather than the real reason that Brown is a nob that has trashed our country,

[Gromit]

The expenses row does not seem to have damaged the Conservatives much if at all. They are making large gains in the local elections.