Mandelson fears expenses 'haste'Some MPs have been too "hastily" condemned over their expenses, Lord Mandelson has said.
The business secretary called for those facing allegations to be "given the chance to justify their actions".
He made his comments as Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the police should be called in where MPs are accused of defrauding taxpayers.
Both Labour and the Tories have set up internal panels to scrutinise claims and rule on their MPs' futures.
This of course is the same "Lord" Mandelson who claimed for improvements on his constituency home after he announced he was leaving Parliament to become an EU Commissioner. He later sold the property for a profit of £136,000.
Lord Mandelson rejected claims he used taxpayers' cash to "renovate" his home for profit, insisting the money was spent on essential maintenance. He said the Telegraph's report - which details a £1,500 gardening bill and £1,350 in house repairs - was presented to provoke public anger. "The fact is that these allowances would not have been paid if they weren't within the rules," he told BBC Radio Scotland.
Oh I see, it was alright because it was in the rules that MPs made then abused as much as they could.
A bit more greed:
Conservative MP Bill Cash is the latest politician to come under the spotlight after the Telegraph revealed he claimed for rent on a "second home" owned by his daughter. He insists he has done nothing wrong and said he does not intend to stand down.
Labour MP Elliot Morley, who could face a police probe after claiming £16,000 for a mortgage that did not exist, is also facing pressure to step down and is due to meet party officials in his Scunthorpe constituency later.
It comes after Labour's Margaret Moran and Conservative Julie Kirkbride became the latest MPs to stand down over expenses revelations on Thursday.
There is no justification, there are no excuses, all MPs that have abused the system should resign now, not at the next election, why should we pay them even more of our money in resettlement grants, salaries and pensions when we are struggling just to keep our heads above the water, and the fat cat MPs are taking the piss?
“The zeal which begins with hypocrisy must conclude in treachery; at first it deceives, at last it betrays” Francis Bacon
Angus
Angus Dei on all and sundry
NHS Behind the headlines
Angus Dei-NHS-THE OTHER SIDE
2 comments:
Can we see the journalists expense claims, please? After all, we do pay them when we buy a newspaper or any of the products they advertise so why shouldn't we know what expenses they claim.
Not quite the point anonymous, journalists are paid by private companies (newspapers) MPs are paid by us.
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