United Kingdom parliamentary expenses scandal ultimately covered the entire gamut of Parliament—all major parties and several minor ones, ministers (including the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, cabinet and shadow cabinet members) through to backbenchers, and members of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. A number of members were expelled from their parties, or would not stand for re-election; some members repaid, in part or whole, sums they had previously claimed. Expenses claims to be repaid averaged £3,000 with the highest repayment being £42,458.21 by Barbara Follett. There were also payments to the UK tax authority for taxes on possible gains
Anthony Steen mark the occasion, whilst the inaugural Human Trafficking Foundation Media Awards took place at the House of Lords. Steen describes himself as a 'Euro-pragmatist' and is firmly in favour of the UK remaining in the European Union. In May 2009 he was involved in the parliamentary expenses scandal, and was reported by "The Daily Telegraph" to have claimed over £87,000 on his constituency mansion which he designated as his second home. Expenses included items for rabbit fencing, tree surgery (his home is surrounded by 500 trees, he also claimed for their inspection,) woodland consultants and bore hole maintenance. As a