Lib Dems have called for tough criminal sanctions against those MPs caught breaking rules on allowances.

Lib Dems back expenses reform

Lib Dems back expenses reform

By politics.co.uk staff

Lib Dems have called for tough criminal sanctions against those MPs caught breaking rules on allowances.

During a vote at the party conference in Bournemouth, delegates voted for all MPs who “deliberately broke the rules” to be subject to investigation and – where justified – criminal prosecution.

“We have an opportunity to create a different kind of politics in this country, one that isn’t tainted by the scandal over MPs’ expenses,” said Lib Dem chief whip Paul Burstow.

“We need these proposals to really clean up Westminster and stop Labour and Tory MPs from going back to business as usual.”

The party also called for any future capital gains made from the sale of second homes to go straight back to the taxpayer, and for MPs to commit to implementing Sir Christopher Kelly’s independent inquiry into the expenses system in advance of its publication.