Anthony James "Tony" McNulty(born 3 November 1958) is a retired British politician who was theLabourMember of Parliament (MP) forHarrow Eastfrom1997to2010.During his ministerial career, which began in 2003, he wasMinister for Londonand laterMinister of State for Employment and Welfare Reformat theDepartment for Work and Pensions.He resigned his position on 5 June 2009 after allegations in the press regarding his expenses.
Background, education and early political career
editHis father migrated to England fromCounty Donegal,Ireland.[1]
McNulty was educated at theSalvatorian College, Wealdstoneand atStanmore Sixth Form College.He graduated from theUniversity of Liverpoolwith aBAin Political Theory and Institutions and anMAin Political Science fromVirginia Techin the United States.[2]Before becoming an MP, he was leader of the Labour group on Harrow council and a senior lecturer inOrganisational Behaviour,at theUniversity of North Londonfrom 1983–97. In 1986, he was elected to Harrow Council for Stanmore South ward.[3]
Parliamentary career
editMcNulty was an unsuccessful Labour candidate forHarrow Eastin the1992 general election,but was elected as the constituency's MP in theMay 1997 general election.He served as a Whip from 1999 to 2002, following a period as Parliamentary Private Secretary toDavid Blunkett.McNulty was then appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for neighbourhood renewal, housing and planning. He was moved to theDepartment for Transportin June 2003 as Parliamentary Under Secretary with responsibility for aviation, local transport, and London, and was promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for Rail and London in September 2004.[4][5]
McNulty moved to theHome Officeon 9 May 2005 as Minister of State for Immigration, following thegeneral electionreshuffle. In May 2006 hisHome Officeportfolio changed to responsibility over the policing and crime, security and counter-terrorism.[6]In July 2007, he became aPrivy Councillor.InGordon Brown's reshuffle on 3 October 2008, McNulty moved to becomeMinister of Statefor Employment and Welfare Reform at theDepartment for Work and PensionsandMinister for London,and was permitted to attend cabinet meetings until his resignation on 5 June 2009. During his period as Minister, McNulty was concerned with benefit fraud suggesting that "we are absolutely determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer. Our commitment extends beyond the borders of the UK. Even in sunny Spain, we're closing in on benefit fraud".[7]
MPs' expenses controversy
editIn 2009, McNulty was one of many MPs who were involved in a political scandal following thedisclosure of expenses of Members of the United Kingdom Parliament.In March 2009, he admitted claiming expenses on a second home, occupied by his parents, which was 8 miles away from his primary residence, after details appeared inThe Mail on Sunday.[8]McNulty said that the claim was appropriate, but he ceased claiming the allowances.[citation needed]He was asked to apologise to the House of Commons and repay £13,837,[9]which he did.[10]
In an article headlined "Tony McNulty, Benefit Cheat",Alex Massiein a blog forThe Spectatorcontrasted the statements made by McNulty regarding benefit cheats with his own claims for expenses.[11]On 18 May 2007, McNulty was one of the 98 MPs who voted in favour of exempting parliamentarians from the application of theFreedom of Information Act 2000.[12]
On 5 June 2009, after the revelations in the expenses scandal, McNulty resigned from the government.[13]At the2010 general election,McNulty lost toBob Blackmanof theConservative Party.[10]
Personal life
editIn September 2002, McNulty marriedChristine Gilbert,Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools for Ofsted,in Hammersmith and Fulham. Gilbert was headmistress ofWhitmore High Schoolfor eight years, starting when she was 32. It was the second marriage for both. McNulty had first married in 1994 to Gillian Travers, who later stood as a Labour candidate forRuislip-Northwoodin 2001.[citation needed]
In the 1980s McNulty played rugby union for Watford RFC, as did his brother Richard (Dickie).
References
edit- ^"Publications and Records".
- ^"BBC Politics 97".BBC. 1997.
- ^"Tony McNulty".YourDemocracy.[permanent dead link]
- ^"Tony McNulty: Electoral history and profile".Archived fromthe originalon 5 March 2010.Retrieved12 January2018.
- ^"A selection of Tony McNulty's votes".Retrieved12 January2018.
- ^"Reid swaps immigration ministers".BBC News.22 May 2006.Retrieved22 December2018.
- ^McNulty comments on benefit fraud
- ^"McNulty defends expenses claims".BBC News.22 March 2009.
- ^Mulholland, Hélène; Wintour, Patrick (29 October 2009)."Tony McNulty apologises after being ordered to repay £13,837 in expenses".The Guardian.London.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^ab"Expenses casualty Tony McNulty loses Harrow East".London Evening Standard.7 May 2010.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^Massie, Alex(26 March 2009)."Tony McNulty, Benefit Cheat".The Spectator.London.
- ^"How Your MP voted on the FOI Bill".The Times.London. 20 May 2007.Retrieved8 March2018.
- ^Rayner, Gordon (6 June 2009)."Tony McNulty quits Government in wake of expenses row".The Daily Telegraph.London.Retrieved8 March2018.