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Commons loses MPs' expenses fight Commons loses MPs' expenses fight
(19 minutes later)
The House of Commons has lost its High Court battle over an information watchdog's decision to force disclosure of MPs' expenses.The House of Commons has lost its High Court battle over an information watchdog's decision to force disclosure of MPs' expenses.
The Commons challenged the Information Tribunal's "unlawfully intrusive" demand that a detailed breakdown of second home allowances must be given.The Commons challenged the Information Tribunal's "unlawfully intrusive" demand that a detailed breakdown of second home allowances must be given.
The Commons also attempted to overturn the Tribunal's decision that MPs' addresses should be disclosed. It also tried to overturn the tribunal's decision that MPs' addresses should be published.
But the challenge was dismissed earlier by the High Court. It is now expected to appeal against the High Court ruling.
The Freedom of Information request at the centre of the case relates to 14 MPs and former MPs, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
'Public eye'
The Commons authorities argued that MPs' addresses should be kept secret on security grounds.
But this was rejected by the High Court, which said such information was already in the public domain.
In its ruling, the High Court said: "An individual who is determined to discover the residential address of an adult, law-abiding citizen is likely to be able to do so by one legal means or another.
"And where the person concerned is a holder of public office and in the public eye, an inquiry is likely to be easier."
The Commons members' estimates committee is to meet on Tuesday to decide whether to launch an appeal.
Under their "additional costs allowance", MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year towards the cost of maintaining a second residence, normally in their constituency.
The allowance covers expenditure incurred when an MP is away from home on parliamentary duties, such as the cost of furniture and household bills.
'John Lewis list'
The original demand for a detailed breakdown of the additional costs allowances of 14 MPs and former MPs was made under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Information Tribunal said the breakdown should be given, but the battle was then taken to the High Court by the Commons Commission.
MPs were criticised when the so-called "John Lewis list" of household items was published earlier this year.
All of them could be bought using the second home allowance, and included £10,000 kitchens and £6,000 bathrooms.
Commons Speaker Michael Martin was himself criticised when it emerged that his wife had claimed £4,139 on taxis - largely for shopping trips.
But on Wednesday, Parliament's standards chief John Lyon ruled Mary Martin's claims were "reasonable".