UK: MP learns Hebrew to better 'spousal communication'

Tory legislator learns his partner's language – puts £678 bill on parliamentary expense account

Ynet |Published: 08.10.12 , 15:03

Tory MP Nick Boles, who entered a civil partnership with Israeli Shay Meshulam last year, decided to learn Hebrew, so to better communications with his partner.

According to the Mirror, however, he decided to include the £678 cost of lessons on his parliamentary expenses account.

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British MPs can claim a rebate for language lessons if it helps with their job, however there is a debate on whether they can claim the same when it is for their personal benefit.

Boles, who is a known advocate of strict economic measures, came under fire for his claim. But he asserted that "he is entitled to learn" the Jewish language.

In a statement issued Thursday, Boles said: "Language instruction is a service available to Members of Parliament. I took some Hebrew lessons. It is something I’m entitled to do."

But not everyone agrees. Matthew Sinclair, of the British TaxPayers' Alliance slammed the move, saying: "Nick Boles has abused this taxpayer-funded perk in order to make conversation around the breakfast table a little easier."

"Mr. Boles' unapologetic response is particular galling, given that an attitude of entitlement was one of the root causes of the expenses crisis in the last Parliament."

Boles, however, was not the first MP to put language lessons on expenses. According to the Mirror, Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt charged taxpayers over £3,000 to learn Mandarin after marrying a Chinese woman.