All we want for Christmas… is our money back

9.45.00pm GMT Sun 24th Dec 2006

Alison Goldsworthy and Ed Bridges are calling for some Labour councillors to return 'unlawful' allowances.

Liberal Democrats in Cardiff have delivered their Christmas wish to Transport House, the Welsh Labour party's HQ.

The Christmas wish is for 10 councillors (all members of the Labour party) to voluntarily repay the allowances that they received from the tax payer that was ruled by the District Auditor to be 'unlawful' and 'unreasonable.'

Ed Bridges, Welsh Lib Dem Assembly candidate for Cardiff North, said: "Taxpayers money was paid out unlawfully and unreasonably. This is a matter of principle, and I believe that these sitting Labour councillors should pay the money back voluntarily. It is Christmas, after all!"

Alison Goldsworthy, spokesperson for Cardiff West Lib Dems said: "Christmas is a time of giving - now is the time for Labour Councillors to pay back the 'unlawful' and 'unreasonable' money they were paid. Our message is simple - all we want for Christmas is our money back!"

NOTES

1) The District Auditors report into allowances paid to Councillors in Cardiff concluded that some of the money paid to Labour Members had been unlawful and unreasonable

2) The 10 Councillors being asked to pay back money are:

· Russell Goodway

· Greg Owens

· Michael Michael

· Steve Pantak

· Gill Bird

· David English

· Brian Finn

· Clarissa Holland

· Christine Priday

· Derek Rees