Benefits cheat suspended from housing panel

A "full investigation" is being carried out by AmicusHorizon following concerns put to the Observer by a resident.

James Kemp, who headed up the East Sussex Area panel of AmicusHorizon, falsely claimed almost 6,400 in benefits but failed to declare his partner had two part-time incomes.

A resident of Mount Idol View, he was given a curfew order from 8pm to 7am every night for six weeks, reduced from eight weeks because of his guilty plea and repayments. He was also ordered to pay costs of 100.

An AmicusHorizon resident raised the matter of his still being chairman of the local area panel having been voted there by other residents to help in the running of their homes.

She said: "I am wondering why he is still in that position?

"Surely there is a problem if he now has this fraud conviction and as area panel chairman is dealing with budgets and money. I have asked AmicusHorizon but they won't speak about it. He is still there as chairman and that is disgraceful.

"I don't know if other residents have realised. I think it is selling us short that we have this elected body and autonomy, then what will that panel do if other residents commit housing benefit fraud, and the chairman has already done it himself? If it was something else I would understand it but this was about money, and that is not right."

When AmicusHorizon was approached about Mr Kemp's conviction the response came as a statement from Regional Director for Sussex Jane Porter to the effect that he had been suspended from the East Sussex Area Panel as well as his position as chair.

"We are carrying out a full investigation into the recent discovery about his fraudulent benefit claims. The suspension takes place as of April 6.

"We have informed the Tenant Services Authority and are following our Area Panel code of conduct.

"We reassure our residents that we are taking this matter seriously."