If Sir Stuart Bell had any ordinary job, he’d be out of a job. As it is, he is MP for Middlesborough and paid an annual salary of £65,738 to serve as the town’s MP whether he turns up to work or not. He also claimed £82,896 for staffing costs last year, which includes the salary of his wife, Lady Margaret, who is paid more than £35,000 to work as his office manager. The local paper, the Middlesborough Evening Gazette, exasperated by the claims of members of the public that he often does not reply to emails, letters or calls, decided to investigate: Continue reading →