UK public dismayed over MP's expenses
The UK public and Parliament appear to have totally disconnected with news that four MPs charged over alleged fraudulent expense claims could well be tempted to use parliamentary privilege to escape court action. At a time when UK taxpayers are struggling to make ends meet on a monthly basis the headlines in newspapers do not make good reading for UK MPs.
Overall MPs expenses were over £90 million in 2009 and despite alleged irregularities with a number of claims MPs are only being asked to repay up to £1 million. However, even this figure could be downgraded in the short to medium term with legal action pending by a number of MPs to reclaim expenses which have been repaid or else avoid repayment of expenses deemed to be contrary to the rules.
Only a few weeks ago it seemed that this particular issue had been put to bed with all political parties demanding repayment of excess expenses. However, a number of MPs have now fought back and we are on the verge of new court action and more damning headlines in the UK. Central to their argument is the fact that many of the expenses in question were perfectly legal under the regulations at the time.
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