We tried for a week to talk to Labour MPs Alan and Ann Keen, to find out why they claimed £5,000 for staying in a hotel when their home is just 30 minutes from Westminster by train.

Many people who work in London commute this far every day.

This couple have earned a nickname in the House – “Mr and Mrs Expenses”. They would do themselves a favour if they explained just why they have had to claim so much.

Losing faith in Church
SO what has gone wrong with the Church of England? Congregations are falling and the clergy are divided. Perhaps it’s the fault of its leadership.

The Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Reverend Michael Langrish, for example, has just set a pretty poor example of how to behave. At a recent service in Exeter Cathedral to celebrate the 350th anniversary of a local girls’ school, parents could scarcely believe what they heard…

The Bishop chose to address the congregation, which included more than 100 girls under 11 and some as young as seven, on Nazi atrocities and the incest and rape crimes of Josef Fritzl.

Teachers were angry, parents were shocked and children were frightened. If bishops believe they can behave like this it is little wonder that the Church of England is in such a rocky state.

Prescott acts up again
Hundreds of Labour MPs will be meeting in huddled groups around the Commons this week, worried that they will soon be out of a job.

But there is one Labour stalwart who won’t be there. John Prescott has already lined up a new career – as an actor. Jaunty John has a part in a play on Radio 4 next Sunday.

We think he’ll be a hit – after all, his performances were always entertaining, even if they didn’t make you laugh.