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'''Eric Evlyn Illsley''' (born 9 April 1955) is a [[British people|British]] politician who was the [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Barnsley Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Barnsley Central]] from [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987]] until 2011.<ref name="CH">{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Labour-MP-Eric-Illsley-Resigns-After-Pleading-Guilty-To-Three-Charges-Of-False-Accounting/Article/201102215926253?lpos=Politics_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15926253_Labour_MP_Eric_Illsley_Resigns_After_Pleading_Guilty_To_Three_Charges_Of_False_Accounting |title=Politician Quits After Expenses Scandal |publisher=Sky News |date=8 February 2011}}</ref> He was a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] representative until suspended from the party after being charged with fraud as part of the [[United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal]], and then sat as an [[independent (politician)|Independent]]. When he pleaded guilty to three charges of false accounting on 11 January 2011, he became the first sitting Member of Parliament to be convicted of a criminal offence in the scandal.
'''Eric Evlyn Illsley''' (born 9 April 1955) is a [[British people|British]] politician who was the [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Barnsley Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Barnsley Central]] from [[United Kingdom general election, 1987|1987]] until 2011.<ref name="CH">{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/Labour-MP-Eric-Illsley-Resigns-After-Pleading-Guilty-To-Three-Charges-Of-False-Accounting/Article/201102215926253?lpos=Politics_First_Home_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15926253_Labour_MP_Eric_Illsley_Resigns_After_Pleading_Guilty_To_Three_Charges_Of_False_Accounting |title=Politician Quits After Expenses Scandal |publisher=Sky News |date=8 February 2011}}</ref> He was a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] representative until suspended from the party after being charged with fraud as part of the [[United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal]], and then sat as an [[independent (politician)|Independent]]. When he pleaded guilty to three charges of false accounting on 11 January 2011, he became the first sitting Member of Parliament to be convicted of a criminal offence in the scandal.
Illsley was disqualififed from the House of Commons on 8 February 2011, following his conviction <ref name="guardian-resign">{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jan/12/eric-illsley-quit-mp-expenses-conviction |title=Eric Illsley thrown out as MP following expenses conviction |last=Curtis |first=Polly |date=12 January 2011 |publisher=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>, and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on 7 February 2011.<ref name="Sentenced">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12418223|title=MPs' expenses: Eric Illsley sentenced to year in jail|date=10 February 2011|work=BBC News Online|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 February 2011}}</ref>
Illsley was disqualified from the House of Commons on 8 February 2011, following his conviction <ref name="guardian-resign">{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jan/12/eric-illsley-quit-mp-expenses-conviction |title=Eric Illsley thrown out as MP following expenses conviction |last=Curtis |first=Polly |date=12 January 2011 |publisher=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>, and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on 7 February 2011.<ref name="Sentenced">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12418223|title=MPs' expenses: Eric Illsley sentenced to year in jail|date=10 February 2011|work=BBC News Online|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 February 2011}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
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On 19 June 2009 he was one of dozens of MPs identified by the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' as having made "phantom" claims for [[council tax]] on their parliamentary expenses, receiving thousands of pounds more than they were entitled to. He was thought to have made the highest phantom claim&mdash;over £6,000. He has claimed over £10,000 for council tax in four years although he was charged £3,966 for his Band C property in Lambeth, south London, in this period. He regularly submitted claims for £200 a month, which meant that he did not have to submit receipts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5581934/MPs-expenses-MPs-made-inflated-council-tax-claims.html |title=MPs' expenses: MPs made inflated council tax claims |last1=Winnett |first1=Robert |last2=Wyatt |first2=Holly |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=19 June 2009 |accessdate=19 May 2010 |location=London}}</ref>
On 19 June 2009 he was one of dozens of MPs identified by the ''[[Daily Telegraph]]'' as having made "phantom" claims for [[council tax]] on their parliamentary expenses, receiving thousands of pounds more than they were entitled to. He was thought to have made the highest phantom claim&mdash;over £6,000. He has claimed over £10,000 for council tax in four years although he was charged £3,966 for his Band C property in Lambeth, south London, in this period. He regularly submitted claims for £200 a month, which meant that he did not have to submit receipts.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5581934/MPs-expenses-MPs-made-inflated-council-tax-claims.html |title=MPs' expenses: MPs made inflated council tax claims |last1=Winnett |first1=Robert |last2=Wyatt |first2=Holly |publisher=Daily Telegraph |date=19 June 2009 |accessdate=19 May 2010 |location=London}}</ref>


Shortly after re-election as a Labour MP in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 general election]], on 19 May 2010, Illsley was charged with three counts of false accounting.<ref name="bbc19may">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8691861.stm |title=Labour MP charged over expenses |publisher=BBC |date=19 May 2010 |accessdate=19 May 2010}}</ref> He was suspended from the Labour Party and had the Labour whip withdrawn in the House of Commons.<ref name="bbc19may"/> On 11 January 2011, he pleaded guilty at [[Southwark Crown Court]] to three charges.<ref>{{cite news|title=MPs' expenses: Labour's Eric Illsley admits fraud|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12157768|accessdate=11 January 2011|newspaper=BBC website|date=11 January 2011}}</ref> He was to be sentenced in February 2011 and if he received a prison sentence of more than 12 months, he would be automatically disqualified and have to stand down as MP for Barnsley under the [[Representation of the People Act 1981]], causing a by-election.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jan/11/mp-eric-illsley-admits-charges | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Alexandra | last=Topping | title=Eric Illsley admits MP expenses charges | date=11 January 2011}}</ref> Illsley stated his intention to [[Resignation from the British House of Commons|resign as an MP]] before sentencing, and on 8 February he was formally appointed [[Chiltern Hundreds|Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds]], vacating his seat.<ref name="CH" /> [[Barnsley Central by-election, 2011|A by-election]] will follow on 3 March 2011.<ref name="guardian-resign" /> He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on 10 February 2011.<ref name="Sentenced"/>
Shortly after re-election as a Labour MP in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2010|2010 general election]], on 19 May 2010, Illsley was charged with three counts of false accounting.<ref name="bbc19may">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8691861.stm |title=Labour MP charged over expenses |publisher=BBC |date=19 May 2010 |accessdate=19 May 2010}}</ref> He was suspended from the Labour Party and had the Labour whip withdrawn in the House of Commons.<ref name="bbc19may"/> On 11 January 2011, he pleaded guilty at [[Southwark Crown Court]] to three charges.<ref>{{cite news|title=MPs' expenses: Labour's Eric Illsley admits fraud|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12157768|accessdate=11 January 2011|newspaper=BBC website|date=11 January 2011}}</ref> He was to be sentenced in February 2011 and received a prison sentence of 12 months, he was automatically disqualified and removed as MP for Barnsley under the [[Representation of the People Act 1981]], causing a by-election.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/jan/11/mp-eric-illsley-admits-charges | location=London | work=The Guardian | first=Alexandra | last=Topping | title=Eric Illsley admits MP expenses charges | date=11 January 2011}}</ref> Illsley stated his intention not to [[Resignation from the British House of Commons|resign as an MP]] before sentencing. On 8 February he was formally disqualified from the house of commons formally vacating the seat.<ref name="CH" /> The [[Barnsley Central by-election, 2011|A by-election]] was held on 3 March 2011.<ref name="guardian-resign" /> He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on 7 February 2011.<ref name="Sentenced"/>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:25, 4 March 2011

Eric Illsley
Member of Parliament
for Barnsley Central
In office
11 June 1987 – 8 February 2011
Preceded byRoy Mason
Succeeded byTo be decided
Personal details
Bornhonorific-suffix
(1955-04-09) 9 April 1955 (age 69)
Kendray, Barnsley, England
Diedhonorific-suffix
Resting placehonorific-suffix
Political partyLabour (1987-2010)
Independent (2010-present)
SpouseDawn Illsley[1]
Parent
  • honorific-suffix
Alma materUniversity of Leeds

Eric Evlyn Illsley (born 9 April 1955) is a British politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Barnsley Central from 1987 until 2011.[2] He was a Labour Party representative until suspended from the party after being charged with fraud as part of the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal, and then sat as an Independent. When he pleaded guilty to three charges of false accounting on 11 January 2011, he became the first sitting Member of Parliament to be convicted of a criminal offence in the scandal. Illsley was disqualified from the House of Commons on 8 February 2011, following his conviction [3], and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on 7 February 2011.[4]

Early life

Illsley was educated at Hunningley Lane Junior School, Barnsley's Holgate Grammar School for Boys and the University of Leeds, where he obtained an honours degree in Law in 1977. He was an official for the NUM for ten years, including during the miners' strike of 1984–1985. In the NUM, he was a compensation officer from 1978 to 1981, assistant head of general department from 1981 to 1984, and head of general department and chief administration officer from 1984 to 1987.

Political career

When former Northern Ireland Secretary Roy Mason announced his retirement in October 1986, Illsley was nominated by the NUM in the selection of a Labour candidate for Barnsley Central. He was viewed as being on the left of the Labour Party while his main opponent was Ronnie Fisher, a Barnsley Borough councillor identified as a moderate. The general secretary of the Yorkshire NUM, Sam Thompson, wrote to NUM members encouraging them to attend the selection meeting in January 1987,[5] Illsley was selected and then easily elected to the House of Commons in the general election in June 1987. He was on the frontbench while Labour were in opposition, but was a backbencher after they won power in 1997. He voted against the privatisation of the National Air Traffic Services (NATS).

On 11 March 2003, Illsley claimed in a speech to the House, regarding possible military action in Iraq: "The report states that any military action must be on the basis of UN resolutions. I fully agree: as a Committee member, I stand by that statement, and believe that there must be a second resolution before any military action is taken against Iraq".[6] One week later he voted in favour of military action against Iraq, despite the failure of the US-led coalition to secure the second UN resolution.[7] He voted in favour of the introduction of identity cards in the UK.[8]

Expenses

Illsley voted against a bill proposing transparency in MPs' allowances and the publication of a list of allowed expenses, otherwise known as the John Lewis List.[9] Illsley claimed £149,700 in expenses including £90,000 staff costs.

On 19 June 2009 he was one of dozens of MPs identified by the Daily Telegraph as having made "phantom" claims for council tax on their parliamentary expenses, receiving thousands of pounds more than they were entitled to. He was thought to have made the highest phantom claim—over £6,000. He has claimed over £10,000 for council tax in four years although he was charged £3,966 for his Band C property in Lambeth, south London, in this period. He regularly submitted claims for £200 a month, which meant that he did not have to submit receipts.[10]

Shortly after re-election as a Labour MP in the 2010 general election, on 19 May 2010, Illsley was charged with three counts of false accounting.[11] He was suspended from the Labour Party and had the Labour whip withdrawn in the House of Commons.[11] On 11 January 2011, he pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to three charges.[12] He was to be sentenced in February 2011 and received a prison sentence of 12 months, he was automatically disqualified and removed as MP for Barnsley under the Representation of the People Act 1981, causing a by-election.[13] Illsley stated his intention not to resign as an MP before sentencing. On 8 February he was formally disqualified from the house of commons formally vacating the seat.[2] The A by-election was held on 3 March 2011.[3] He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment on 7 February 2011.[4]

References

  1. ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/110124/part2.htm
  2. ^ a b "Politician Quits After Expenses Scandal". Sky News. 8 February 2011.
  3. ^ a b Curtis, Polly (12 January 2011). "Eric Illsley thrown out as MP following expenses conviction". London: The Guardian.
  4. ^ a b "MPs' expenses: Eric Illsley sentenced to year in jail". BBC News Online. BBC. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  5. ^ "Miners' MP lobby", The Times, 2 January 1987.
  6. ^ "Estimates Day — 2nd Allotted Day — Supplementary Estimates, 2002–2003 — Foreign and Commonwealth Office — War Against Terrorism". theyworkforyou.com. 11 March 2003. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  7. ^ "Iraq — Declaration of War — 18 Mar 2003 at 22:00". publicwhip.com. 18 March 2003. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  8. ^ "Eric Illsley MP, Barnsley Central voted strongly for the policy: Identity cards - For introduction". publicwhip.com. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  9. ^ "MPs' Allowances — Abolish the John Lewis List — rejected — 16 Jul 2008 at 15:49". publicwhip.com. 16 July 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  10. ^ Winnett, Robert; Wyatt, Holly (19 June 2009). "MPs' expenses: MPs made inflated council tax claims". London: Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  11. ^ a b "Labour MP charged over expenses". BBC. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
  12. ^ "MPs' expenses: Labour's Eric Illsley admits fraud". BBC website. 11 January 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  13. ^ Topping, Alexandra (11 January 2011). "Eric Illsley admits MP expenses charges". The Guardian. London.

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