Labour expenses apology 'ready-made'

Monday, 1 June 2009 12:00 AM

By politics.co.uk staff

Letters to be sent out by MPs to their constituents apologising for the expenses scandal were 'ready-made' by Labour HQ, it has been claimed.

The letters were been written to appear as if they have been personally undertaken, the Scottish National party (SNP) said.

They began with the words: "I thought twice about sending this letter because I know how rightly angry people are with MPs."

Separate letters were formulated for MEPs and local councillors.

SNP MP for Glasgow East John Mason said: "This is despicable and cynical spin from the Labour party. These letters are designed to look heartfelt, but in fact they are insincere and miss the point of why the public are so angry.

"Labour is well known for its central office control freakery, but these letters really do underline how low Labour has sunk in their efforts to con the public."

The expenses scandal took a new turn over the weekend as high profile figures such as chancellor Alistair Darling and Tory leader David Cameron faced questions over their expenses and allowances.

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