"LOCAL" ASSEMBLY MEMBER TOPS LONDON EXPENSES BILL

12.00.00am GMT Wed 19th Nov 2003

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

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.

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."