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MPs given expenses release delay Bid to block MP expenses details
(about 2 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 launched a last ditch bid to block publication of detailed expenses of 14 MPs and ex MPs including Gordon Brown and David Cameron.
The Commons has spent years fighting calls to account for public money spent on expenses by MPs. The Commons authorities had been expected to release details of second home expenses later on Tuesday after a Freedom of Information tribunal ruling.
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. But they have launched an appeal against the ruling on the grounds it could compromise MPs' security.
The MPs have until 4pm on Thursday to make their case against publication. The FOI ruling last month follows a three year battle to stop publication.
The Commons authorities had until 1600 GMT on Thursday to launch an appeal, which they have now done on two grounds.
The first is because of great concern by MPs that the personal addresses of their second homes would be released.
A Commons spokesman said: "The FOI Tribunal might have misdirected itself in law" over this.
The second reason for an appeal, the spokesman added, is that the tribunal paid "insufficient attention to the reasonable expectation of members about the publication of their personal details".
Soft furnishingsSoft furnishings
The tribunal ordered the publication of a detailed breakdown of what the 14 MPs and former MPs claimed over three years. No information will now be made public until the case is heard at the High Court.
The Commons authorities had been expected to publish the expenses as early as Tuesday. The Commons has spent years fighting calls to account for public money spent on expenses by MPs.
But that has now been put back until Thursday. The FOI tribunal ordered the publication of a detailed breakdown of what the 14 MPs and former MPs claimed over three years.
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. 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.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.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.