Statement from Chris Bain

In the Daily Telegraph of 23rd May there was an article about the expenses of Paul Goggins MP in which I am mentioned.

Specifically it states Paul has let me stay rent and cost free in his house since 2006 and that my brother was paid by Paul to fit a new kitchen.

I’ve been a close friend of Paul Goggins, his wife, Win, and their family for 30 years. Win and I were both active at our University Catholic Society.

In late 1997 when we were both looking for London homes we agreed to jointly buy a modest terraced house on a council estate in January 1998.

Paul bought out half my share of the house in 2003 and I currently own a quarter share for which I do not need a mortgage. Paul’s mortgage only covers a third of the value of the property.

Therefore as part owner of the property I would not expect to pay rent. I bought my own home outside London in 2006 and estimate I am around 3-4 nights a week in London given the travelling involved in my job.

Since 2006, following a change in rules, Paul’s London home became his second home and his allowances covered council tax and utility bills.

I have not paid Paul directly for my share of these but in lieu, I have covered all other costs including my personal living costs; food and other expenses, and been responsible for maintaining and cleaning the house and garden, covering costs for decorating and minor repairs, and and have provided replacements for electrical items, furniture and fittings.

This arrangement fell well within Paul’s legitimate allowances. However, in light of current events we understand the informal financial arrangement agreed between us based on our friendship should be reviewed.

Paul and I will reassess our respective shares of the costs of running the house and repay any shortfall incurred against my time spent there.

Between 2006 and 2008, the only maintenance claims made on the property were for the replacement of the old kitchen. Paul bought a discounted B&Q kitchen in 2007 with the expectation that we would easily find someone to fit it.

Nine months later it was still not done: we were let down a few times – and the quotes were huge. Paul asked my brother if he could do it for the lowest of our quotes – he is an accomplished tradesman even though this isn’t his main job.

My brother agreed to do this and the finished product is excellent.

The Telegraph article raised a possible conflict of interest. It claims that while Paul was Charities minister in 2005 CAFOD’s income from DFID rose by a third. It implies that the rise in CAFOD’s income is linked with Mr Goggins position.

This is not the case, and is purely coincidental. In fact, Paul’s job as Charities minister sat within the Home Office and had nothing to do with the Department for International Development which is where our grants actually come from.

The amount granted to CAFOD by DfID is reached through an application and negotiation process, as is the case with other NGOs.

The details of my salary have always been in the public domain and are published in CAFOD’s annual reports and accounts. The salary is one of the lowest for Chief Executives of charities of similar size.

The 17th edition of financial information on “Top 3,000 charities 2009-10” quotes the average salary of a Director from the top 100 charities is £158,880 so my salary is less than half of that.

CAFOD is in the top 50 UK charities and has a £37 million international programme.

I hope that the above explains that Paul Goggins and I acted in good faith and that we will make good anything which is considered inappropriate.

Chris Bain