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MP expenses breakdown published MP expenses breakdown published
(20 minutes later)
A detailed breakdown of expenses claimed by 14 MPs has been released by the Commons, after it lost a three-year Freedom of Information battle. A detailed breakdown of expenses claimed by 14 politicians has been released by the Commons, after a three year Freedom of Information battle.
The claims and receipts to back them up, which run to more than 400 pages, were handed out to journalists earlier by the Commons authorities. The claims and receipts, which run to more than 400 pages, were handed out earlier by the Commons authorities.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Tory leader David Cameron are among those to have their expenses revealed. They include money spent by senior politicians on running their second homes - including more than £10,000 for a new kitchen claimed by Tony Blair.
More details will be published as they are uncovered in the documents.More details will be published as they are uncovered in the documents.
Details in two separate receipts from 2003 show the then prime minister Tony Blair spent more than £10,000 on refurbishing the kitchen at Myrobela - his constituency home in county Durham. Items included tiling and £1,000 on fitting a mantel shelf to the AGA. Details in two separate receipts from 2003 show the then prime minister Tony Blair spent more than £10,000 on refurbishing the kitchen at Myrobella - his constituency home in county Durham.
'Adverse coverage'
Items included tiling and £1,000 on fitting a mantel shelf to the Aga oven.
The documents also include several of Mr Blair's gas bills from the same period - and a letter from Lloyds bank about the Blair's interest-only £297,000 mortgage on Myrobella.
The documents also include a note about John Prescott querying his entitlements at his grace-and-favour Admiralty House residence, after "adverse press coverage" in 2005.
MPs' expenses are published every year under nine main headings - including the additional costs allowance (ACA) to cover the costs of running a second home.MPs' expenses are published every year under nine main headings - including the additional costs allowance (ACA) to cover the costs of running a second home.
'Unsatisfactory''Unsatisfactory'
But for most only the total claimed is published, rather than a detailed breakdown showing what items had been claimed for.But for most only the total claimed is published, rather than a detailed breakdown showing what items had been claimed for.
Freedom of Information campaigners argued that the limited nature of checks on claims, many of which did not require a receipt, meant the system was open to abuse and an Information Tribunal agreed it was "deeply unsatisfactory".Freedom of Information campaigners argued that the limited nature of checks on claims, many of which did not require a receipt, meant the system was open to abuse and an Information Tribunal agreed it was "deeply unsatisfactory".
Last week the High Court backed the tribunal's ruling that details should be published and on Monday the Commons gave up its legal fight.Last week the High Court backed the tribunal's ruling that details should be published and on Monday the Commons gave up its legal fight.
The claims at issue were made in 2005 by 14 prominent politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell. The claims at issue were made by 14 prominent politicians, including Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Sir Menzies Campbell.
A detailed breakdown of the expenses of all MPs dating back to 2004 - likely to run to more than a million items - is due to be released in the autumn and in future the information will be released on a quarterly basis.A detailed breakdown of the expenses of all MPs dating back to 2004 - likely to run to more than a million items - is due to be released in the autumn and in future the information will be released on a quarterly basis.
The MPs' home addresses will be published unless there is a specific concern about individual security.The MPs' home addresses will be published unless there is a specific concern about individual security.
'Barking mad''Barking mad'
The High Court ruled that MPs' addresses should be published - pointing out they were already disclosed when MPs sought nomination for election and if someone was determined to discover it, they were likely to be able to do so. Some MPs are angry that their home addresses will be published.
The Tribunal had ruled however that addresses of MPs who had a good reason - for example a known stalker, terrorist or "other criminal threat" - could remain private.
But some MPs are angry that their home addresses will be published.
Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has tabled a motion calling for a breakdown of the expenses of, and home addresses of, High Court judges.Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell has tabled a motion calling for a breakdown of the expenses of, and home addresses of, High Court judges.
Conservative MP Julian Lewis backed Mr Russell's move in the Commons on Thursday, branding the release of MPs' addresses "barking mad" and claiming it opened them up to hate mail and attacks by "extremists".Conservative MP Julian Lewis backed Mr Russell's move in the Commons on Thursday, branding the release of MPs' addresses "barking mad" and claiming it opened them up to hate mail and attacks by "extremists".
MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year to spend on costs incurred while staying away from their main home - including televisions, rent or mortgage payments and, without providing a receipt, up to £400 a month for food.MPs can claim up to £23,000 a year to spend on costs incurred while staying away from their main home - including televisions, rent or mortgage payments and, without providing a receipt, up to £400 a month for food.
The Commons is conducting its own inquiry into MPs' pay and expenses.The Commons is conducting its own inquiry into MPs' pay and expenses.