THE TELEGRAPH: MPs face universal condemnation over “disgraceful” censorship of their expenses claims.
Party leaders struggled to explain the decision to publish heavily blacked-out versions of MPs’ claims as public anger mounted.
Despite a pledge from Gordon Brown that “transparency” was the only way to restore public faith in democracy, the files released by the Commons authorities withheld details that would have exposed the worst abuses of the expenses system.
The parliamentary expenses files do not expose MPs who have “flipped” their designated second homes and many of the most controversial claims have been completely blacked out in the documents.
Details that would have allowed the public to identify interest claimed on so-called “phantom mortgages” — such as in the case of Elliot Morley, the former environment minister — or MPs who were able to avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of properties — such as Kitty Ussher, the Treasury minister forced to resign — were also excluded.
Controversial claims by Tory MPs for the cleaning of a moat and the purchase of a floating duck island were also omitted. >>> By Robert Winnett and James Kirkup | Thursday, June 18, 2009
MAIL Online: As the Nation Fumes at Expenses 'Blackwash' Scandal MPs Are Rewarded with £10,000 Pay Rise
Shameless MPs are set to provoke fresh public anger by pocketing a staggering £10,000-a-year pay rise.
The salary hike comes as MPs faced a backlash today over their blatant attempt to cover up expenses scams.
After weeks of public fury at leaked details, Commons officials unlocked their files yesterday - with crucial details covered in thick black ink.
It meant MPs who 'flipped' homes to claim on different properties - or charged for services such as moat-cleaning - were spared further embarrassment.
Despite growing fury among voters, it has now been revealed that they are to be rewarded for their greed with a £10,000 pay rise.
The head of the body that will now set their pay said they were underpaid by '10 to 15 per cent'.
The astonishing rise - up to five times the rate of inflation - comes as millions of workers across Britain face the threat of redundancy, salary freezes and even pay cuts. >>> By James Chapman | Friday, June 19, 2009
