Mrs Heald has drawn my attention to an error in my previous total for the number of months claimed at the maximum, to the penny, for "petty cash".

It appears that Mr Heald claimed the maximum of £250.00 (to the penny) specifically against "petty cash" in 41 months out of 48 - NOT 43 out of 48 as previously asserted here by myself. For the record - Mr Heald disputes this figure - claiming that it should be 38 out of 48 (I will leave you to decide which figure is fairest - if you wish).

I have apologised directly to Mr Heald for my error in the total and I am more than happy to place this public apology here.

Still, in my opinion, this is a pattern of claims that quite rightly arouses suspicion. Just how on earth was it that Mr Heald spent exactly £250.00 in "petty cash" specifically, to the penny, almost each month - even in the recess?

It should be noted that in quite properly scrutinising my assertions in detail, that Mr Heald has chosen not to address the "double claims" made for "petty cash" at the maximum for both Nov '06 and Sep '07 - "double claims" I made them aware of on 18th June. So, in both Nov '06 and Sep'07 Mr Heald appears to have claimed a whopping great £500 against "petty cash" specifically. That's a lot of tea and coffee and not a "petty cash ledger" or "petty cash voucher" to be seen.

So, perhaps now Mr Heald - it is time to find your own humility, address your "double claims", apologise as necessary, and get out your cheque book.

You can read our exchanges on this here: http://www.dishonourable.org.uk/blog/oliver-heald-mp-openness-and-transp...