MP’s Expenses: New Audit body is just not enough!
If our members of parliament think that the British public can be bought off with the introduction of a new “independent” auditing body to oversee the ‘Fees Office’, then they are sadly mistaken. It is clear, that whatever the legality of the rules governing MP’s allowances and expenses, there has been a consistent and blatant [...]
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Robert Berry (not a member)
30/05/2009 - 10:56
Mr
VERY WELL SAID. This article is extremely well written and sums up exactly how I feel on this subject. It is the clearest and most objective piece I've seen or heard since this whole shamefull episode began.
I have no truck with bleating MP's claiming it wasn't their fault making claims. Those of them who have profited from the system in such a dishonest way must accept their guilt and stand down - AFTER repaying expenses deemed as wrongly awarded after investigation. If this means they lose their homes (first, second or both!) then so be it.
I am particularly pleased to see you have identified the part played by people in the Fees Office. I have a very strong desire to see those who approved outrageous / unjustifiable expense claims being brought to book. I suspect the people who work in the Fees Office are civil servants, i.e. not covered by any kind of parliamentary privelege or excemption from prosecution. If so, the investigation you've suggested must take place and those found to be guilty of wrong-doing prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
I have worked in the private sector all of my working life, am now 52 and deputy MD of a large, family owned engineering company. Your comments regarding scrutiny of expenses claims is absolutely correct and reflects my own experiences over 35 years.
So the really big question is; how can honest, hard working, outraged people make what is being suggested in this article come into being?