Chris Ruane

Christopher Shaun Ruane (born 18 July 1958) is a Welsh Labour Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Vale of Clwyd from 1997 to 2015.

Ruane attended Ysgol Mair Roman Catholic primary school in Rhyl. He then went to the Blessed Edward Jones RC High School (three years above Carol Vorderman) on Cefndy Road in Rhyl, then in Flintshire, later Clwyd and since 1996 in Denbighshire. At the University of Wales College, Aberystwyth, he gained a BSc in Economics in 1979. From the University of Liverpool he gained a PGCE in 1980. He was a town councillor from 1988 and the Chairman of West Clwyd NUT region.

He was a primary school teacher from 1982–97, and a deputy head from 1991–7.

He contested Clwyd North West in 1992.

He was the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Peter Hain from 2003 until his resignation in March 2007 in protest against the decision to replace Trident.

He lost his seat to Conservative James Davies in the 2015 General Election.

In October 2012, the Commons Speaker, John Bercow, blocked the release of data showing which MPs were renting their homes in London to other MPs for financial gain. However, a study of parliamentary records was published in the Daily Telegraph. The study showed that 27 MPS, including Chris Ruane receive rental income from their homes in London while simultaneously claiming rental income from the taxpayer to live at another residence.

Ruane claimed £1,906 a month for his London flat. He has two children and his eldest daughter turned 18 in November 2012. He also owns a flat about three minutes’ walk away. He said: "I have acted completely within the rules."