MPs vote on keeping addresses secret
Monday, 2 March 2009 5:31 PM
By politics.co.uk staff
The continuing row over MPs' expenses for second homes has taken another twist today, with MPs voting whether to allow themselves to keep their home address secret.
All candidates for election currently have to disclose their address in order to stand.
In an amendment to the political parties and elections bill, tabled by Conservative Julian Lewis, MPs would only have to reveal whether they lived in a constituency, while only a small number of people would know the full address.
Supporters of the amendment claim it is a security issue and they must retain anonymity to prevent the possibility of attacks by angry constituents or terrorists.
Critics said this was just a move to help MPs cover up abuses of their controversial taxpayer-funded expenses for second homes.
The amendment is due to be debated in the Commons today and MPs will be allowed a free vote. They are expected to back the legislation.
Should this become law it will make it increasingly difficult to hold MPs to account for suspect use of their expenses claims.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith is currently under investigation by parliament's standards committee over her claims for £116,000 in second home expenses despite listing her primary residence as her sister's house.
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