Tony McNulty
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" James McNulty (born 3 November 1958) is a former British
Labour Party
politician
, who was the Member of Parliament
(MP) for Harrow East from 1997
to 2010 and was a government
minister
from 2002 to 2009. He was Minister for London
and Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions
. He resigned his position on 5 June 2009 after allegations in the press regarding his expenses.
from County Donegal
, Ireland
.
Tony McNulty was educated at the Salvatorian College
on High Street in Wealdstone
and at Stanmore Sixth Form College
on Elm Park in Stanmore
. He obtained a BA
in Political Theory and Institutions from the University of Liverpool
and an MA
in Political Science from Virginia Tech
in the United States. Before becoming an MP he was leader of the Labour group on Harrow council and a senior lecturer in Organisational Behaviour
, at the University of North London
from 1983-97. In 1986 Tony was elected to Harrow Council for Stanmore South ward. He ran in the 1992 General Election
in Harrow East.
. He served as a Whip from 1999 to 2002, following a period as Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Blunkett. McNulty was then appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for neighbourhood renewal, housing and planning.
He was moved to the Department for Transport in June 2003 as Parliamentary Under Secretary with responsibility for aviation, local transport, and London, and was promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for Rail and London in September 2004.
McNulty moved to the Home Office
on 9 May 2005 as Minister of State for Immigration, following the general election
reshuffle. In May 2006 his Home Office
portfolio changed to responsibility over the policing and crime, security and counter-terrorism. (BBC). In July 2007, he became a Privy Councillor. In Gordon Brown's reshuffle on 3 October 2008 McNulty moved to become Minister of State
for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions
and Minister for London
, and although not a full member of the cabinet, he was permitted to attend unlike most junior ministers until he resigned on 5 June 2009. During his period as Minister McNulty made constant attacks on benefit fraud suggesting that "we are absolutely determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer. Our commitment extends beyond the borders of the UK. Even in sunny Spain, we’re closing in on benefit fraud".
In an article headlined "Tony McNulty, Benefit Cheat", The Spectator
contrasted the statements made by McNulty regarding benefit cheats with his own claims for expenses.
On 18 May 2007, McNulty was one of 98 MPs who voted against applying the Freedom of Information Act 2000
to themselves.
of the Conservatives
.
CBE in September 2002 in Hammersmith and Fulham. She is Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools at Ofsted
. She was headmistress of Whitmore High School
for eight years, starting when she was 32 and was also married previously. McNulty first married in 1994 when he wed Gillian Travers, who later stood as a Labour candidate for Ruislip-Northwood
in 2001.
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United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, who was the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Harrow East from 1997
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
to 2010 and was a government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
from 2002 to 2009. He was Minister for London
Minister for London
The Minister for London was a United Kingdom ministerial post that is part of the government of London. The post was scrapped by David Cameron after he came to office in 2010...
and Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is the largest government department in the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001 from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security and headed by the Secretary of State for Work and...
. He resigned his position on 5 June 2009 after allegations in the press regarding his expenses.
Background, education and early political career
McNulty's father migrated to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
from County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Tony McNulty was educated at the Salvatorian College
Salvatorian College
The Salvatorian College is a voluntary aided school for boys between the ages of 11-18, situated in Wealdstone in the London Borough of Harrow, in the Trusteeship of the Society of the Divine Saviour...
on High Street in Wealdstone
Wealdstone
Wealdstone is a largely working-class and recent immigrant district in the London Borough of Harrow, north west London.-History and name:The eponymous Weald Stone is a sarsen stone, formerly marking the boundary between the parish of Harrow and Harrow Weald...
and at Stanmore Sixth Form College
Stanmore College
Stanmore College is a college in Stanmore in the London Borough of Harrow and was established as a tertiary college in 1987. In 1993 all colleges in the post-16 sector ceased to be controlled by their local education authorities and Stanmore College became a Corporation funded by the Further...
on Elm Park in Stanmore
Stanmore
Stanmore is a suburban area of the London Borough of Harrow, in northwest London. It is situated northwest of Charing Cross. The area is home to Stanmore Hill, one of the highest points of London, high.-Toponymy:...
. He obtained a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Political Theory and Institutions from the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
The University of Liverpool is a teaching and research university in the city of Liverpool, England. It is a member of the Russell Group of large research-intensive universities and the N8 Group for research collaboration. Founded in 1881 , it is also one of the six original "red brick" civic...
and an MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in Political Science from Virginia Tech
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech , is a public land-grant university with the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia with other research and educational centers throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States, and internationally.Founded in...
in the United States. Before becoming an MP he was leader of the Labour group on Harrow council and a senior lecturer in Organisational Behaviour
Organizational studies
Organizational studies, sometimes known as organizational science, encompass the systematic study and careful application of knowledge about how people act within organizations...
, at the University of North London
University of North London
The University of North London was a university in the United Kingdom from 1992 to 2002. On 1 August 2002, it merged with London Guildhall University to form London Metropolitan University. The former University of North London premises now form the new university's north campus, situated on...
from 1983-97. In 1986 Tony was elected to Harrow Council for Stanmore South ward. He ran in the 1992 General Election
United Kingdom general election, 1992
The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992, and was the fourth consecutive victory for the Conservative Party. This election result was one of the biggest surprises in 20th Century politics, as polling leading up to the day of the election showed Labour under leader Neil...
in Harrow East.
Parliamentary career
McNulty was elected in the May 1997 General ElectionUnited Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
. He served as a Whip from 1999 to 2002, following a period as Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Blunkett. McNulty was then appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for neighbourhood renewal, housing and planning.
He was moved to the Department for Transport in June 2003 as Parliamentary Under Secretary with responsibility for aviation, local transport, and London, and was promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for Rail and London in September 2004.
McNulty moved to the Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
on 9 May 2005 as Minister of State for Immigration, following the general election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
reshuffle. In May 2006 his Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
portfolio changed to responsibility over the policing and crime, security and counter-terrorism. (BBC). In July 2007, he became a Privy Councillor. In Gordon Brown's reshuffle on 3 October 2008 McNulty moved to become Minister of State
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions
Department for Work and Pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions is the largest government department in the United Kingdom, created on June 8, 2001 from the merger of the employment part of the Department for Education and Employment and the Department of Social Security and headed by the Secretary of State for Work and...
and Minister for London
Minister for London
The Minister for London was a United Kingdom ministerial post that is part of the government of London. The post was scrapped by David Cameron after he came to office in 2010...
, and although not a full member of the cabinet, he was permitted to attend unlike most junior ministers until he resigned on 5 June 2009. During his period as Minister McNulty made constant attacks on benefit fraud suggesting that "we are absolutely determined to stop benefit thieves stealing from the British taxpayer. Our commitment extends beyond the borders of the UK. Even in sunny Spain, we’re closing in on benefit fraud".
MPs' expenses controversy
In 2009, McNulty was one of many MPs involved in a political scandal following the disclosure of expenses of Members of the United Kingdom Parliament. In March 2009, he admitted claiming expenses on a second home, occupied by his parents, which was 8 miles away from his primary residence, after details appeared in the Mail on Sunday. McNulty asserted that the claim was appropriate, but he ceased claiming the allowances. Subsequently, the Parliament standards committee said that advice from the Fees Office was "mistaken". He was asked to apologise to the House of Commons and repay £13,837.In an article headlined "Tony McNulty, Benefit Cheat", The Spectator
The Spectator
The Spectator is a weekly British magazine first published on 6 July 1828. It is currently owned by David and Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily Telegraph. Its principal subject areas are politics and culture...
contrasted the statements made by McNulty regarding benefit cheats with his own claims for expenses.
On 18 May 2007, McNulty was one of 98 MPs who voted against applying the Freedom of Information Act 2000
Freedom of Information Act 2000
The Freedom of Information Act 2000 is an Act of Parliament of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that creates a public "right of access" to information held by public authorities. It is the implementation of freedom of information legislation in the United Kingdom on a national level...
to themselves.
Resignation
On 5 June 2009, in light of the expenses scandal, McNulty resigned from the government.2010 General Election
At the 2010 general election McNulty lost his seat as Member of Parliament to Robert BlackmanRobert Blackman
Robert John Blackman , better known as Bob Blackman, is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom who has been the Member of Parliament for Harrow East since 2010...
of the Conservatives
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.
Personal
McNulty married for the second time in September 2002 when he wed Christine GilbertChristine Gilbert
Christine Gilbert CBE was the Head of Ofsted also known as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills between October 2006 and 30 June 2011.-Early life:...
CBE in September 2002 in Hammersmith and Fulham. She is Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools at Ofsted
Ofsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
. She was headmistress of Whitmore High School
Whitmore High School
Whitmore High School is a state Secondary School in the London Borough of Harrow in the North-west of London. The school's catchment area encompasses much of central, west and southern parts of Harrow. It is located just off Shaftesbury Circle....
for eight years, starting when she was 32 and was also married previously. McNulty first married in 1994 when he wed Gillian Travers, who later stood as a Labour candidate for Ruislip-Northwood
Ruislip-Northwood (UK Parliament constituency)
Ruislip-Northwood was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election...
in 2001.
External links
- Guardian Unlimited Politics - Ask Aristotle: Tony McNulty MP
- TheyWorkForYou.com - Tony McNulty MP
- BBC Politics
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