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Brown apology over MPs' expenses | Brown apology over MPs' expenses |
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Gordon Brown has said "mistakes" were made by MPs in their use of House of Commons expenses. | Gordon Brown has said "mistakes" were made by MPs in their use of House of Commons expenses. |
The prime minister apologised on behalf of all political parties for some of the claims made and said public trust must be restored "immediately". | The prime minister apologised on behalf of all political parties for some of the claims made and said public trust must be restored "immediately". |
His comments follow revelations that leading MPs had entered invoices for items including dog food, light bulbs, mock Tudor beams and a lawnmower. | His comments follow revelations that leading MPs had entered invoices for items including dog food, light bulbs, mock Tudor beams and a lawnmower. |
Tory leader David Cameron has urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system. | Tory leader David Cameron has urged MPs to say "sorry" for the expenses system. |
Plans to set up an independent auditing body for claims are expected to be outlined on Monday, with Commons Speaker Michael Martin due to give a statement at 1530 BST. | Plans to set up an independent auditing body for claims are expected to be outlined on Monday, with Commons Speaker Michael Martin due to give a statement at 1530 BST. |
'Wrongs righted' | 'Wrongs righted' |
The Telegraph has been running leaks, so far mainly relating to Labour and Conservative MPs. | The Telegraph has been running leaks, so far mainly relating to Labour and Conservative MPs. |
Speaking at the Royal College of Nursing conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Mr Brown said: "Just as you have the highest standards in your profession, we must show that we have the highest standards for our profession. | Speaking at the Royal College of Nursing conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, Mr Brown said: "Just as you have the highest standards in your profession, we must show that we have the highest standards for our profession. |
"And we must show that, where mistakes have been made and errors have been discovered, where wrongs have to be righted, that that is done so immediately. | "And we must show that, where mistakes have been made and errors have been discovered, where wrongs have to be righted, that that is done so immediately. |
We have to acknowledge just how bad this is David Cameron, Conservatives Tories' claims revealed Expenses claims - key details | We have to acknowledge just how bad this is David Cameron, Conservatives Tories' claims revealed Expenses claims - key details |
"We have also to try hard to show people and think hard about how a profession that, like yours, depends on trust - the most precious asset it has is trust - how that profession too can show that it is genuinely there to serve the public in all its future needs." | "We have also to try hard to show people and think hard about how a profession that, like yours, depends on trust - the most precious asset it has is trust - how that profession too can show that it is genuinely there to serve the public in all its future needs." |
He also said: "I want to apologise on behalf of politicians on behalf of all parties for what has happened in the events of the last few days." | He also said: "I want to apologise on behalf of politicians on behalf of all parties for what has happened in the events of the last few days." |
Among the latest Telegraph revelations, it is reported that shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan recouped £4,000 for gardening costs - including overhauling a ride-on lawnmower - and that shadow universities secretary David Willetts' claimed more than £100 for workmen to replace 25 light bulbs at his home. | Among the latest Telegraph revelations, it is reported that shadow Commons leader Alan Duncan recouped £4,000 for gardening costs - including overhauling a ride-on lawnmower - and that shadow universities secretary David Willetts' claimed more than £100 for workmen to replace 25 light bulbs at his home. |
Over the weekend, it revealed that tourism minister Barbara Follett had claimed more than £25,000 for security at her home. | Over the weekend, it revealed that tourism minister Barbara Follett had claimed more than £25,000 for security at her home. |
Immigration minister Phil Woolas has threatened legal action over "disgusting" allegations he claimed for women's clothing, nappies and comics. | Immigration minister Phil Woolas has threatened legal action over "disgusting" allegations he claimed for women's clothing, nappies and comics. |
Campaign | Campaign |
Plans for an independent auditing body to oversee expenses claims are expected to be approved on Monday, following weeks of damaging stories. | Plans for an independent auditing body to oversee expenses claims are expected to be approved on Monday, following weeks of damaging stories. |
Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell said the Commons would be asked to approve the body, made up entirely of independent people. | Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell said the Commons would be asked to approve the body, made up entirely of independent people. |
The House of Commons has run itself as if MPs can and should be assumed to be honourable and, by implication, better than those they govern Nick RobinsonBBC political editor Read Nick's blog in full | |
It would analyse "every claim that is made", he added. | It would analyse "every claim that is made", he added. |
The Commons fees office is overseen by a committee made up of MPs and independent people - who in turn are overseen by the National Audit Office. | The Commons fees office is overseen by a committee made up of MPs and independent people - who in turn are overseen by the National Audit Office. |
The new body would be entirely independent and cost about £600,000 a year to run. | The new body would be entirely independent and cost about £600,000 a year to run. |
Millions of receipts backing up all MPs' expenses claims under the second homes allowance were due to be published in July after a long freedom of information campaign. | Millions of receipts backing up all MPs' expenses claims under the second homes allowance were due to be published in July after a long freedom of information campaign. |
But details have been leaked to the Telegraph - which has been publishing selected excerpts over the last few days. | But details have been leaked to the Telegraph - which has been publishing selected excerpts over the last few days. |
There are concerns that the proposed change to the auditing system would mean MPs' expenses would no longer have to be made public under the freedom of information ruling. | There are concerns that the proposed change to the auditing system would mean MPs' expenses would no longer have to be made public under the freedom of information ruling. |
Mr Brown's official spokesman said: "The prime minister believes we need tighter auditing, but this must not be at the expense of transparency." | Mr Brown's official spokesman said: "The prime minister believes we need tighter auditing, but this must not be at the expense of transparency." |