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More symptons of illness in the battle between UUP and DUP....

The DUP MP and MLA David Simpson has written to the News Letter today protesting remarks an Ulster Unionist made about his salary. Mr Simpson, who represents Upper Bann, said he decided when he took up his post in the assembly that he would not profit from the job. Instead, he said he would donate that money to groups/individuals in his constituency. He went on to say he had "not paraded this as a virtue or sought publicity."

But he writes that he was "genuinely sickened" to read UUP councillor Ross Hussey's "truly disgusting" letter of August 14 which "insinuates doubt as to the accuracy of comments I prevously made regarding my assembly salary." Mr Simpson says he pays the party levy from his own income and that "every solitary penny" of his Assembly salary, after government deductions, goes to individuals/groups in Upper Bann.

He also takes Cllr Hussey to task about regarding his remarks about Peter Robinson's assertion that he also donates his First Minister's salary to the DUP.

It's just that some Ulster Unionists, among others, are puzzled as to why Mr Robinson didn't reveal his salary donation when he was being attacked in April by the London tabloids, among others, with headlines such as "Swish Family Robinson?" This revelation was not made until an extensive interview the First Minister did with the News Letter on June 22.

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FYI... Cllr Hussey has sent me his latest response ....
David Simpson's recent letter in response to my letter on MP's expenses leaves me flabbergasted to say the least. I repeat the comment I made 'Whilst on the subject of expenses can the DUP now confirm that they have introduced the system where they claim the double salary element from their MPs salaries directly to the party. I ask because following Peter Robinson's recent statement clearly no-one had told David Simpson when he stated he gave his extra salary to charity groups in his constituency.' Clearly I am indicating Mr Simpson uses his additional payment to fund payments to groups in his Upper Bann constituency and for that he is to be commended. However his party Leader Mr Peter Robinson in an article published before Mr Simpson made his statement said ''politicians won't get paid more for double jobbing' and stated that the additional payments would go to the party this is a matter of public record at the same time to quote directly from the Newsletter 'Mr Simpson also reluctantly revealed that he does not benefit from his salary as an MLA, he said the £250 a week he receives is donated to local organisations and people in need within the local community'. A question could be asked what do the other DUP double jobbers do with their additional salary - is it now paid to the DUP as instructed by Peter Robinson? I certainly did not impune Mr Simpson's character or throw dirt at him I asked a simple question that seems to have caused a major problem for Mr Simpson with his unwarranted attack on me and my character which I now ask him to withdraw.

Councillor Ross M Hussey

Ulster Unionist Omagh

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