Salmond scorn for Tory attack
ALEX Salmond last night laughed off renewed pressure over his Westminster expenses, which included £800 for food in two months when the Parliament wasn’t even sitting.
Mr Salmond, MP for Banff and Buchan as well as being First Minister, was criticised last month when it emerged he claimed for food for August and September 2005.
MPs can claim a maximum of £400 per month for food without having to produce receipts.
The row flared again yesterday when Mr Salmond was quizzed live on a radio phone-in.
Asked about his food claims, he said: “I was in London in these months, that’s where I was.”
In response to a caller who said he understood Mr Salmond was not in London at the time, the First Minister added: “I was in London in recess in 2005.
“MPs often go to London. I’ll tell you actually why I was in London. I was getting a rented flat in London in that year. That’s in the main why I was there.
“I was also, for example, at the William Wallace Commemoration events, being held to celebrate the 700th anniversary, these were all legitimate parliamentary events.”
But a spokesman for the Scottish Tories said: “David Cameron has asked Conservative MPs to explain situations that arise.
“Politicians from all parties, including the SNP, owe it to the voters to do the same.” Mr Salmond spent much of September campaigning in the Glasgow Cathcart by-election and he also campaigned in the Livingston by-election.
He hit back by demanding an apology from Tory leader David Cameron for claiming he pocketed two salaries.
Mr Salmond donates his MSP salary to a charitable trust to benefit youth and community groups in north-east Scotland. He described the latest Tory attack as “laughable”.
