DUP politician Gregory Campbell has become the latest MLA to confirm that he
rents his constituency office from a family member
The East Londonderry MLA's Coleraine office is owned by his wife. The rent,
claimed from Stormont allowances, is £12,600 per year.
Mr
Campbell said an estate agent was consulted on the rental valuation for the
Coleraine premises.
He said he would be happy to support valuations
being fixed by Assembly-appointed estate agents, if such a proposal emerged
from the current debate on expenses.
"In the interests of
openness and transparency, I think it would be a good idea," he added.
MLAs and MPs are permitted to rent offices owned by their parties.
Sinn Fein has confirmed that two of its west Belfast MLAs - Paul Maskey and
Sue Ramsey - are currently renting offices in the party's Connolly House HQ
on the Andersonstown Road.
A third, Fra McCann, was based there
until last September.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said: "Fra McCann
was originally the sole MLA tenant at an annual rent of £13,500. Connolly
House underwent extensive restructuring and Fra moved out in September of
last year and only drew down rental to that point."
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