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Commons loses MPs' expenses fight | Commons loses MPs' expenses fight |
(20 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. |
It also tried to overturn the tribunal's decision that MPs' addresses should be published. | It also tried to overturn the tribunal's decision that MPs' addresses should be published. |
It is now expected to appeal against the High Court ruling. | It is now expected to appeal against the High Court ruling. |
The Freedom of Information (FOI) request at the centre of the case asks for a detailed receipt-by-receipt breakdown of expenses for 14 MPs and former MPs, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron. | |
'Public eye' | 'Public eye' |
The Commons authorities argued that full disclosure would lead to MPs' home addresses being released which it said should be barred on security grounds. | |
This ruling makes clear that in a democracy it is the people who are the masters and politicians must be directly accountable to them Heather BrookeFOI campaigner | |
But this argument was rejected by the High Court in its ruling. | |
It 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." | "And where the person concerned is a holder of public office and in the public eye, an inquiry is likely to be easier." |
The High Court has given the Commons authorities until 1600BST on Friday to release the information - and until 1300BST on Tuesday to launch an appeal. | |
The Commons authorities have also been ordered to pay at least £33 500 in costs. | |
'Victory for democracy' | |
The members' estimates committee is to meet on Tuesday to decide whether to take the case to the Court of Appeal. | |
The ruling is a victory for journalists and information freedom campaigners Heather Brooke, Ben Leapman and Jonathan Ungoed-Thomas. | |
Giving her reaction, Ms Brooke said: "This ruling makes clear that in a democracy it is the people who are the masters and politicians must be directly accountable to them. | |
"Anyone making a claim on the public purse must be prepared to put forward their receipts to justify their expenses and to make those receipts public." | |
It was also welcomed by pressure group The Taxpayers' Alliance. | |
Chief executive Matthew Elliott said: "This is a victory for taxpayers and democracy in Britain." | |
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. | 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. | 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' | '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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | But on Wednesday, Parliament's standards chief John Lyon ruled Mary Martin's claims were "reasonable". |