Published Date:
10 October 2008
A NORWEGIAN Labour party politician has resigned after running up big phone bills at public expense by turning to unusual advisers: fortune tellers.
Saera Khan's mobile phone habits became known after the country's parliament said it would no longer cover her bills, which the newspaper Verdens Gang said hit 48,000 kroner (£4,537) in one three-month period.
Ms Khan, 29, initially said the bills were high because she was calling a satellite phone used by her boyfriend, who she claimed was on a secret mission with Britain's special forces. She refused to give his name, age or base, but said he had a personal satellite phone.
But the Norwegian tabloid Dagbladet contacted the British military and learned that soldiers were barred from having personal satellite phones on missions for security reasons.
Finally, the MP confirmed news reports that she had run up the bills calling pay-by-the-minute fortune tellers 793 times over a period of nine months. She said she had paid back the amount.
The full article contains 178 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
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Last Updated:
09 October 2008 10:34 PM
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Source:
The Scotsman
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Location:
Edinburgh
