Eleanor Laing

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After details of MPs' expense claims were released by the press in 2009 it was shown that Laing had avoided paying £180,000 capital gains tax on the sale of her Westminster flat by declaring it as her primary residence. This was due to its having a higher value than her constituency home, making it her primary residence under CGT rules. However she had registered the flat as her second home with the Parliamentary Fees Office, and by doing so had claimed through her Additional Costs Allowance some of the interest due on her mortgage. Laing’s constituency is Epping Forest, which is close to London and less than an hour's journey by tube. When questioned, she said that prior to the sale of the flat she had sought the advice of her solicitor. [14] Laing was cleared by the Legg Inquiry; nonetheless, she voluntarily repaid £25,000 as a "moral gesture". [15] As a result of the issue over her expenses, an unsuccessful attempt was made to deselect her by her constituency party, led by the Leader of Epping Forest District Council. [16]

Personal life

Laing is divorced with one son (b. 2001). [17]

Laing is a fan of Rangers F.C., and is a vice-chairman of the Westminster Parliamentary Rangers Supporters' Club. [18]

She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Past and present positions

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References

  1. ↑ "Mrs Eleanor Laing (Hansard) 1803-2005".
  2. ↑ "The Columbian" (PDF). St-columbus.org. December 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "David (Anthony Andrew)" (PDF). internetserver.bishopgate.org.uk. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "Deputy Speaker election: Eleanor Laing elected". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "Epping Forest parliamentary constituency – Election 2019" . Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  6. ↑ Swinford, Steven; McCann, Kate (8 January 2016). "Heavily pregnant MP allegedly accused of 'bringing down womankind' by leaving debate to eat". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  7. ↑ "Hard work needed after 'pleasing' EU result, says Eleanor Laing". East London and West Essex Guardian Series. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  8. ↑ "Epping Forest parliamentary constituency - Election 2019" . Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  9. 1 2 "Eleanor Laing: It's time to restore trust in the House of Commons". PoliticsHome.com. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  10. ↑ "Deputy Speaker Eleanor Laing takes swipe at John Bercow's 'impartiality' in plea for Brexit calm". PoliticsHome.com. 27 September 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  11. ↑ ""It's time to do things a bit differently": could Eleanor Laing be the next speaker?". www.newstatesman.com. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
  12. ↑ "The Public Whip — Voting Record - Eleanor Laing MP, Epping Forest (10348)".
  13. ↑ Watt, Nicholas (1 March 2013). "Cameron's 'social change by diktat' hurting Conservatives, Tory warns". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  14. ↑ MPs expenses: Eleanor Laing didn't pay capital gains tax on second home, The Telegraph, 30 May 2009
  15. ↑ Hamilton, Fiona. "MPs expenses repaid". The Times . London.(subscription required)
  16. ↑ Swaine, Jon (27 October 2009). "MPs expenses: Eleanor Laing reselected". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  17. ↑ "Pregnant Women (Discrimination) (Hansard, 25 March 2004)". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 6 September 2021. Laing refers to her son being born 'exactly one week' after the 'last general election', in this context being the 2001 election.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  18. ↑ "MPs form Rangers supporters' club at Westminster". The Herald. 5 March 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
The Right Honourable Dame
Eleanor Laing
DBE MP
Eleanor Laing 2022.jpg
Official portrait, 2022
Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons
Chairman of Ways and Means
Assumed office
8 January 2020
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Epping Forest
1997–present		Incumbent
Preceded by First Deputy Chair of Ways and Means
2013–2019		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chair of Ways and Means
2020–present		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Shadow Minister for Women and Equality
2004–2007		Succeeded by
Preceded by Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland
2005		Succeeded by
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