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MPs given expenses release delay | |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Tony Blair and 11 other prominent MPs and ex-MPs have been given two days to argue against their expenses being published. | |
The Commons has spent years fighting calls to account for public money spent on expenses by MPs. | The Commons has spent years fighting calls to account for public money spent on expenses by MPs. |
But the Commons authorities have been advised there is no legal basis for an appeal against a ruling by a Freedom of Information tribunal on the expenses. | |
The MPs have until 4pm on Thursday to make their case against publication. | |
Soft furnishings | Soft furnishings |
The tribunal ordered the publication of a detailed breakdown of what the 14 MPs and former MPs claimed over three years. | |
The Commons authorities had been expected to publish the expenses as early as Tuesday. | |
But that has now been put back until Thursday. | |
If the details are published the public will be able to see what MPs like the PM and former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott spent on everything from their mortgage to soft furnishings on their second home in London. | |
The figures for Conservative leader Mr Cameron, shadow chancellor George Osborne, shadow foreign secretary William Hague and former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell are also included in the case. | |
'John Lewis list' | 'John Lewis list' |
Earlier this month it emerged that MPs were allowed to claim expenses of up to £10,000 for a new kitchen, £2,000 for furniture and £750 for a TV or stereo for their second homes. | |
And other claims allowable include £6,335 for a new bathroom, £299.99 for air conditioning units, £300 per rug, £50 for a shredder and £1,000 for a bed. | And other claims allowable include £6,335 for a new bathroom, £299.99 for air conditioning units, £300 per rug, £50 for a shredder and £1,000 for a bed. |
The figures are in the so-called "John Lewis list" used by Commons officials to list maximum amounts for items. | The figures are in the so-called "John Lewis list" used by Commons officials to list maximum amounts for items. |
The existence of the list - based on prices at the John Lewis store "because it was highly rated by Which magazine" - was revealed during the tribunal. | The existence of the list - based on prices at the John Lewis store "because it was highly rated by Which magazine" - was revealed during the tribunal. |