MPs expenses investigation in disarray
The investigation into MPs expenses is in disarray after more than 80 MPs fought payback demands from Sir Thomas Legg leaving 200 MPs to pay back under £1 million in total. The very fact that the investigation into MPs expenses will cost more than £1 million leaves this sorry saga on the verge of a farce. So what has gone wrong?
A number of MPs have taken legal action to reduce their payments with many arguing that repayments connected to expenses prior to rule changes in 2006 cannot be reclaimed on a "retrospective basis". Indeed a number of MPs who have actually repaid money to the public purse are looking to take legal action and reclaim some of these funds.
All in all, despite a cross party promise that the MPs expenses situation would be left to Sir Thomas Legg it seems that legal action is pending from many more MPs. While the legality of the expenses in question is shrouded in mystery many believe there was a moral obligation to repay what many see as "unreasonable expenses". However, as we approach the next election this will take the focus off the Labour Party alone and all parties are set to suffer some form of voter backlash.
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