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MPs' expenses probe is ruled out MPs' expenses probe is ruled out
(about 2 hours later)
Parliament's standards watchdog has decided against launching an inquiry into MPs' allowances.Parliament's standards watchdog has decided against launching an inquiry into MPs' allowances.
The Committee on Standards in Public Life reached the decision after meeting Commons leader Harriet Harman.The Committee on Standards in Public Life reached the decision after meeting Commons leader Harriet Harman.
It was felt that new arrangements for auditing MPs' expenses were in themselves "a significant step forward", the BBC was told.It was felt that new arrangements for auditing MPs' expenses were in themselves "a significant step forward", the BBC was told.
Government plans to exempt MPs' expense details from freedom of information requests were shelved last month. Plans to exempt MPs' expenses details from freedom of information requests were shelved last month.
Broken downBroken down
This followed the refusal by opposition parties to back ministers.This followed the refusal by opposition parties to back ministers.
Ms Harman said at the time that all expenses information requested in the past four years would be published in full, at a cost of about £2m, but did not make clear when this would happen.Ms Harman said at the time that all expenses information requested in the past four years would be published in full, at a cost of about £2m, but did not make clear when this would happen.
MPs also approved proposals to give the National Audit Office powers to scrutinise expenses, while claims would be broken down into 26 categories rather than the current nine.MPs also approved proposals to give the National Audit Office powers to scrutinise expenses, while claims would be broken down into 26 categories rather than the current nine.
The committee, chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly, heard in private from Ms Harman on Wednesday.The committee, chaired by Sir Christopher Kelly, heard in private from Ms Harman on Wednesday.
The BBC understands that members felt the moves to increase auditing meant a full inquiry into expenses was not needed.The BBC understands that members felt the moves to increase auditing meant a full inquiry into expenses was not needed.
MPs' allowances became the subject of controversy when it emerged last year that Conservative Derek Conway had paid his sons to act as researchers while both were students.MPs' allowances became the subject of controversy when it emerged last year that Conservative Derek Conway had paid his sons to act as researchers while both were students.
The Commons standards and privileges committee found he had overpaid them and ordered him to repay some of the money.The Commons standards and privileges committee found he had overpaid them and ordered him to repay some of the money.