Alberto Costa, the Conservative candidate for Angus, has highlighted his concerns about how the Scottish Nationalist MP he is seeking to unseat sent out party political propaganda using taxpayers' money.
A complaint was made to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards by a constituent of Mike Weir, SNP MP for Angus, after he noticed that his nephew's 18th birthday card from the MP, promoting the SNP, had been sent in a first-class House of Commons pre-paid envelope.
The complaint was upheld by the Commissioner, who has written back to the complainant explaining that Mr Weir had "unreservedly apologised", stating that the card - and two others - had erroneously been sent in Commons envelopes by a volunteer in his office.
Alberto Costa said:
"Mr Weir must ensure that no future abuse of taxpayers' money occurs again. He cannot hide behind a volunteer. He is the MP and entirely responsible for how our money is spent for his communications allowance benefit. I have urged Angus residents, through the local press, to contact me if they or a family member have received an SNP Birthday Card to check whether Mr Weir is using taxpayers' money to send these cards. Mr Weir is quick to attack the Conservatives when he considers alleged wrongdoing on their part and has pathetically criticised me for revealing his breach to the public. It is my duty as the Conservative candidate for Angus to ensure that Mr Weir does not misuse taxpayers money again".
