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Speaker angry over expenses leak Speaker angry over expenses leak
(20 minutes later)
Speaker Michael Martin has said MPs should not just "work to the rules" in their expenses claims but should consider "the spirit of what is right".Speaker Michael Martin has said MPs should not just "work to the rules" in their expenses claims but should consider "the spirit of what is right".
After days of revelations in the Daily Telegraph about MPs' claims, he said there must be "serious change" to the much-criticised system.After days of revelations in the Daily Telegraph about MPs' claims, he said there must be "serious change" to the much-criticised system.
A new operational assurance unit would start "shortly" to oversee claims.A new operational assurance unit would start "shortly" to oversee claims.
He slapped down MPs who criticised the decision to call in the police, saying the leaker could not be left "in situ".He slapped down MPs who criticised the decision to call in the police, saying the leaker could not be left "in situ".
He said the House was advised against seeking an injunction against publication but had been right to ask police to investigate as the leaker could release further private information.He said the House was advised against seeking an injunction against publication but had been right to ask police to investigate as the leaker could release further private information.
And he said the supervisory body, the House of Commons Commission, would be meeting later to discuss whether all MPs' expenses details should be released as soon as possible - ahead of their expected publication in July. 'Pearls of wisdom'
MPs were concerned that private details like bank accounts and passwords might be published, he said.
Labour MP Kate Hoey raised concerns that, as the newspaper had chosen to black out sensitive details like addresses, asking the police to investigate was "an awful waste" of police resources and suggested MPs had something to hide.
But an annoyed Mr Martin said he had late at night heard her "pearls of wisdom on Sky News".
We're in a climate now where any nonsense can be written about anybody and it is dragging us all down Chris MullinLabour MP Brown apology over MPs' expenses Expenses focus turns on Tory MPs
"It's easy to talk then," he said.
"Is it the case that an employee of this House should be able to hand over any private data to any organisation of his or her choosing?"
He added: "It's easy to say to the press this should not happen - it's a wee bit more difficult when you just don't have to give quotes to the press and do nothing else. Some of us in this house have other responsibilities other than talking to the press."
He also told off Lib Dem Norman Baker - who has long campaigned for greater transparency on MPs expenses - as "another member who is keen to say to the press what the press wants to hear".
'Citizens' juries'
He was annoyed that Mr Baker, he said, had suggested the Commission had "done nothing" - pointing out that it had made recommendations for reform last year and MPs had voted against them.
Mr Martin said the supervisory body, the House of Commons Commission, would be meeting later to discuss whether all MPs' expenses details should be released as soon as possible - ahead of their expected publication in July.
Former health secretary Patricia Hewitt said MPs could not blame the media for the situation and asked for "citizens' juries" to be set up to consider MPs' salaries and expenses.
It is important that the spirit of what is right must be brought in now Michael MartinCommons speaker
The Labour former minister Chris Mullin asked the Speaker to consider rebutting some "falsehoods" including a suggestion that MPs are "subject to special tax treatment".
"We're in a climate now where any nonsense can be written about anybody and it is dragging us all down,"
Mr Martin promised to raise the matter with the Commons Commission on Monday evening.
He also said there was "no intention" that introducing a private body to audit MPs' expenses would put an end to Freedom of Information inquiries about their claims.
Several MPs whose claims have been revealed by the Daily Telegraph over the last few days have responded saying they acted within the rules of the expenses system - but agreed the system had to change.Several MPs whose claims have been revealed by the Daily Telegraph over the last few days have responded saying they acted within the rules of the expenses system - but agreed the system had to change.
In a statement in the Commons, Mr Martin said changes had already been made with more to come.In a statement in the Commons, Mr Martin said changes had already been made with more to come.
But he added: "Working to the rules and the rules alone isn't what is expected of any honourable Member," he told them.But he added: "Working to the rules and the rules alone isn't what is expected of any honourable Member," he told them.
"It is important that the spirit of what is right must be brought in now.""It is important that the spirit of what is right must be brought in now."
Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised on behalf of all parties for "mistakes" made by MPs in their second homes claims - following revelations that leading MPs have entered invoices for items including dog food and a lawnmower.