"LOCAL" ASSEMBLY MEMBER TOPS LONDON EXPENSES BILL

3.01.58pm UTC (GMT +0000) 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."