Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Paranoia runs rampant
For goodness sake! The BBC were reporting this morning that Labour MP, Sir Stuart Bell believes a mole is flogging off details of MPs expense claims for hundreds of thousands of pounds:
Sir Stuart told BBC's Newsnight programme: "All of the receipts of 650-odd MPs, redacted and un-redacted, are for sale at a price of £300,000, so I am told.
"The price is going up because of the interest in the subject."
It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest
Asked who was trying to sell the information, Sir Stuart replied: "Well we have a pretty good idea of not the person, but the source, and that is a subject of a House of Commons investigation."
"It's probably breach of the Official Secrets Act," Sir Stuart said. "It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest, by the way."
The public interest would best be served by complete transparency on the part of the House of Commons' authorities leading to the immediate publication of all expense claims and a monthly update of new claims. There could be no better way to undermine the market in such information, if it exists at all.
I just cannot believe that at a time when public confidence in politicians is so low that MPs are still digging a hole for themselves.
Sir Stuart told BBC's Newsnight programme: "All of the receipts of 650-odd MPs, redacted and un-redacted, are for sale at a price of £300,000, so I am told.
"The price is going up because of the interest in the subject."
It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest
Asked who was trying to sell the information, Sir Stuart replied: "Well we have a pretty good idea of not the person, but the source, and that is a subject of a House of Commons investigation."
"It's probably breach of the Official Secrets Act," Sir Stuart said. "It may be a theft, but we will get to the bottom of it. In the public interest, by the way."
The public interest would best be served by complete transparency on the part of the House of Commons' authorities leading to the immediate publication of all expense claims and a monthly update of new claims. There could be no better way to undermine the market in such information, if it exists at all.
I just cannot believe that at a time when public confidence in politicians is so low that MPs are still digging a hole for themselves.
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I just heard that too Peter, lets hope that it doesnt start a trend.
AMs expenses for sale £3.50
MEPs 2000 euros -thats because there is probably more to pick over on European expenses.
This just needs quick and desisive action that covers all expenses for people engaged in government at what ever level, including Local government.
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AMs expenses for sale £3.50
MEPs 2000 euros -thats because there is probably more to pick over on European expenses.
This just needs quick and desisive action that covers all expenses for people engaged in government at what ever level, including Local government.
# posted by 
: 8:46 AM
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