"LOCAL" ASSEMBLY MEMBER TOPS LONDON EXPENSES BILL

3.01.58pm GMT Wed 19th Nov 2003

Bexley and Bromley's Conservative representative on the London Assembly, Bob Neill, has run up the largest travel expenses tab in City Hall, spending £2,010 of council tax payers money from April to August 2003, according to an Audit Panel report.

Taxis in Canary Wharf - near to Mr Neill's home

In addition to his 6 zone travel card the local member - who actually lives in docklands rather than locally - also stung council tax payers for a £300 taxi bill, £152 on domestic travel and £70 on other travel expenses. Mr Neill's Liberal Democrat opponent Duncan Borrowman, who lives locally in Bexley and is a former Bromley councillor, said; "I have nothing against London Assembly members receiving their taxable travel card, but it is outrageous for Mr Neill to cost council tax payers so much money in additional travel costs."