Fury over DUP MLA's £18,000 travel claim

A DUP member of the Northern Ireland Assembly was under fire today after claiming over £18,000 in travel expenses in a single year.

The SDLP questioned how Mark Robinson could run up such a bill travelling to Stormont when he only represents South Belfast.

The £18,058.68 (€26,792) claimed by Mr Robinson, was only out-done by Sinn Féin's Pat Doherty, the West Tyrone MLA who actually lives in Co Donegal and claimed £21,494.15.

Fellow South Belfast MLA, the SDLP MP Dr Alasdair McDonnell was outraged at the size of the claim from a member whose constituency was only around the corner from Stormont.

"People will ask how exactly did Mark Robinson travel to Stormont? Chauffeur? Private Jet? He said people would be stunned that a man who hadn't made any impression in the present Assembly had made such an impression on its financial office.

Dr McDonnell said: "At a time when people in my constituency are being crippled with huge rates bills it is simply breathtaking that the DUP, the so-called party of efficiency, are claiming £18,000 of public money for a small journey from Finaghy Crossroads to the Newtownards Road, a journey of less than seven miles."

The other four South Belfast MLA's between them claimed well under a third what Mr Robinson claimed on his own.

Dr McDonnell claimed no travel expenses and party colleague Carmel Hanna just £316.15. Ulster

Sinn Fein member Alex Maskey's claim amounted to £1,232.51.

Details just published by the Assembly also showed Mr Robinson was one of 31 of the 108 MLA's who charged the absolute maximum for their office allowance — £48,000. With his MLA's salary of £31,817.04 added to allowance and expenses, Mr Robinson pocketed £87,875.72 during 2004/05 — a year when the Assembly remained in total suspension.

The DUP declined to make any comment about Mr Robinson's claim saying it was a matter for the member himself. There was no reply at the MLA's constituency office and he was not immediately contactable.

Unionist Michael McGimpsey claimed £2,681.58, his colleague Esmond Birnie only £985.05.

PA