UK NEWS
MPS' EXPENSES CLAIMS TO BE REVEALED
Speaker Michael Martin
Speaker Michael Martin is due to release details of expenses claimed by MPs, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, after the House of Commons authorities decided not to challenge a ruling under freedom of information laws.
The release will provide a breakdown of how much was spent under different allowance categories, such as stationery, IT equipment, travel for the MP and spouse and groceries.
But it will not include the full details, including receipts and invoices, being demanded under a separate information request relating to 14 MPs, which the Commons Commission is appealing against at the High Court on the grounds it breaches MPs' privacy.
The commission, which Mr Martin chairs, announced it would not mount an appeal against Information Commissioner Richard Thomas's decision in January to uphold a BBC request for information about six MPs' expenses claims in 2003/04, along with another request relating to a single MP.
Rather than making the information generally available, however, the Commons authorities will pass them only to the people who made the initial request. It is thought likely that details will become known shortly afterwards.
The seven MPs and former MPs involved include Mr Brown, his predecessor Tony Blair and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, as well as the former leaders of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy.
Interest in MPs' expenses has been fuelled by a critical report into former Conservative MP Derek Conway's employment of his son at the taxpayer's expense.
Further embarrassment was caused by the publication of the so-called "John Lewis list" detailing amounts which MPs are allowed to claim for furnishing their taxpayer-funded second homes, based on the prices at the famous department store.
HEH HEH HEH LUCABRASI
07.04.08, 10:42am
you never let us down,one thing though,why don't you come off the fence and say what you really think......tee hee.
Posted by: thewarlord Report Comment
MARTIN THE THIEF
05.04.08, 1:09pm
That fat lazy thieving piggy twat, Martin, should be horsewhipped from his speakers chair and thrown in jail, with the rest of the robbing scum.
There should be a police enquiry and back date it 5 years, and prosecute every shady act that has been committed. Like claiming mortgage payments on a house that is owned outright. How do they sleep at night? Obviously no shame.
Posted by: Lucabrasi Report Comment
WELL, TO QUOTE ED BALLS "SO WHAT"
04.04.08, 4:52pm
I feel utterly disgusted and nothing but contempt for this "breed" of modern day politician that purport to represent us while all the time they are taking us for fools.
We need to punish these "clever" people by forcing them to repay all the expediditure claims that they have wrongfully made, and then creating a powerful independant body to enforce a rigourous behavioral code for the future politicians to adhere to.
Posted by: tinhead Report Comment
OTHER REVALATIONS REQUIRED
04.04.08, 3:52pm
Other revalations regarding our inane politicains from all parties are required in addition to the "fiddling" of expenses or the amounts they have claimed.
The other points that need to be publicised and revealled alongside the cash & money "claims" is how many days or how much time they were actually in Parliament or at their constituancies.................these revallations whilst quite strong for Ministers and Senior politicains would be completly embarassing and shocking as far as many others are (were) concerned.
There is no doubt at all that there needs to be a complete change of the types of and the way politicains are allowed or permitted to "work" (the wrong word thats why it is in italics") - as far as ALL parties are concerned.
Posted by: nowyouknow Report Comment
BLAIR HAD £116 FOR A TV LICENSE.....HOWARD CONNED OVER £20,000 OUT OF THE TAXPAYER
04.04.08, 3:06pm
WHAT AN OBSCENE, MONEY-GRABBING GAGGLE OF PHONIES WE HAVE RUNNING THIS COUNTRY.
I THINK I'LL BE VIOLENTLY SICK ALL OVER MARTIN'S BLOATED FACE.
Posted by: ReubenMohawali Report Comment
WE WANT ALL THE DETAILS PLEASE!!
04.04.08, 12:29pm
There should be no cherry picking regarding the details of MPs expenses, we want all the details! Mps are in a privileged position with great rewards for doing the job, there should be no privacy, just plain transparency.
Posted by: fireowl Report Comment
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