Brown agrees to expenses meeting

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Gordon Brown has agreed to meet fellow party leaders David Cameron and Nick Clegg to discuss MPs expenses.

But the prime minister said any reforms would still have to wait for the outcome of an independent review.

The review has been speeded up amid public anger about the scale of expenses being claimed by MPs.

But at prime minister's questions Mr Cameron urged swifter action, saying he was fed up with "our politics being driven through the mud".

The Tory leader insisted a transparent system, which restored faith in the political process, was needed, adding: "We can't wait for another review."

Mr Brown said he was happy to meet Mr Cameron and Lib Dem leader Mr Clegg but insisted reforms must await the review by the independent Committee on Standards in Public Life.

"I've asked them to speed-up that review so it's completed as quickly as possible," he told Mr Cameron.

Adult films

The expenses issue has been thrust into the spotlight once again following revelations about the use of second homes allowances by ministers.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was criticised for claiming more than £116,000 for her family home in the West Midlands after nominating her sister's property in London - which she shared - as her main residence.

It also emerged at the weekend that she also mistakenly claimed expenses for adult films watched by her husband at the house in her constituency of Redditch, Worcestershire. The money has been repaid.

Earlier this month it emerged that employment minister Tony McNulty had claimed the second-home allowance towards his parents' house in Harrow, north-west London, which he used in addition to a flat in central London.

Raising the expenses issue to some groans in the Commons, Mr Cameron said: "MPs may groan but frankly I'm fed up with our politics being driven through the mud.

"We need a solution that is transparent, costs less than the current arrangements and restores faith in the political process."

'Urgent meeting'

He added: "We cannot wait for another review. This needs to be agreed now.

"So, instead of another review, will you agree to an urgent meeting between the main party leaders so we can sort this out, once and for all?"

Mr Brown replied: "I agree, and have said on many occasions, this whole system has to be reformed and improved.

"I think there is common ground in this House that it brings no repute to MPs if we are continually having to deal with these issues."

Some changes had been made in the way expenses were documented and organised.

But Mr Brown added: "Both the parties agreed that the committee of conduct into the standards of public life could do a good job looking into these issues.

"Of course, I'm happy to meet the leaders of the Opposition parties to discuss this matter.

"But I do say that to restore public confidence in the matter, the Committee on Standards in Public Life will have to complete their review as well."