MP expenses come under more scrutiny
It has today been revealed that Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, has "inadvertently" made an expenses claim in relation to her "second home" internet charges which included a package of films. Aside from the fact that at least two of these films were allegedly of an adult nature, there is uproar across the UK today at the fact that MPs seem literally able to claim for any expense they incur!
This is a situation which has been ongoing for some time but the fact that a number of complaints have been made, and more often than not rejected, has alarmed many UK taxpayers. The main concern, aside from the fact that MPs expenses are costing UK tax payers tens of millions of pounds a year, is the apparent secrecy of these expenses and the covert way in which any complaints are considered. If a complaint is rejected the panel of MPs, who apparently police their own expenses, they do not have to explain in public why they chose this particular option.
As we have seen in so many walks of life, a number of MPs seem willing to push their expenses to the limit, albeit well within the laws which govern expenses, with others suffering the fallout. However, this time the growing demand for an independent review of MPs expenses looks set to push Gordon Brown's solidarity with MPs to the limit.
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