Caddies at one of Britain's most exclusive golf clubs have been accused
of fraudulently claiming welfare benefits.
Thirty self-employed
caddies at Muirfield, near Edinburgh, are alleged to have been claiming
more than £100,000 a year in benefits, while earning up to £100 per round
at the course.
The claims follow
a six-week investigation by the Benefits Agency, which included the use
of hidden cameras at the course.
The caddies are accused
of claiming a variety of benefits, including incapacity benefit and the
disability living allowance. Three were listed by the Benefits Agency as
being almost crippled.
The agency said it
was considering prosecuting.
"This is a major
coup for us," said a spokesperson. "In monetary terms they were getting
£2,293 a week illegally. It's disgraceful."
In a statement later,
the agency added that it was "a good example of the fraud investigation
service taking prompt and efficient action".
Muirfield hosted
the Open in 1992, and is due to host it again in 2002. It numbers lawyers
and judges among its members. Celebrities such as Michael Douglas and Jack
Lemmon have also played there in recent months.
Although the caddies
are not employed by the club, they are controlled by a caddie master who
is employed there. He keeps a record of who is working at the club on what
day.
Club secretary Group
Captain John Prideaux told newspapers on Saturday: "These people are not
employed by us.
"They are not owned
by us. There are nothing to do with us and this is not our problem."
