Clegg demands immediate disclosure of expenses

Lib Dem leader warns of distrust in politics

Thursday, 27, Mar 2008 12:00

The Commons' attempt to block the publication of MPs expenses is fuelling distrust in politicians, a leading MP has warned.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called for the immediate disclosure of MPs' expenses relating to their second-home allowance.

"Any delay will only add to the British public's distrust in their politicians," he argued.

The information tribunal had ordered the full details of 14 MPs' expenses must be published by Thursday but the Speaker this week launched a last-minute appeal.

The Commons authorities argue publication of MPs' addresses could expose them to a security risk.

Mr Clegg agreed there were "legitimate grounds" for appealing the decision to publish MPs' private addresses.

"However, there is no early reason why the rest of the information should not be published immediately," he said.

The Liberal Democrats yesterday wrote to the Speaker asking when a detailed breakdown will be published.

Speaking to the Today programme this morning, the Liberal Democrat leader said MPs have now accepted there must be full disclosure and the Speaker was "delaying the inevitable".

He said the appeal, which will see the three-year freedom of information struggle culminate in the high court, was a "needless additional hammer blow" to public confidence in house of Commons.

MPs are entitled to claim up to £23,000 a year under the additional costs allowance to recover the costs of running a second home close to Westminster.

Campaigners had requested the claims of 14 prominent MPs, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Labour MP David Winnick yesterday asked the speaker under what grounds an appeal had been lodged.

The Speaker responded it was now "sub judice", a matter for the courts, and refused to discuss it in the House of Commons.