Expenses blackouts anger papers

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Outrage continues in the press over the blacking out of parts of the officially published MPs expenses receipts.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/cabinet-expenses/">The Daily Telegraph has compiled what it calls "comprehensive data"</a> on the MPs' claims, in a 68-page supplement.

Its highlights of what it calls the "25 Most Ludicrous Claims" include a single paper clip, a carrier bag and dog food.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1194337/Tainted-race-Speaker-Five-hopefuls-cash-had.html">The Daily Mail attacks what it calls the "squalid farce" surrounding the choice of a new Speaker, </a> saying MPs must recognise the gravity of the vote.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/jun/19/mps-expenses-police-investigation">The Guardian argues that Scotland Yard's decision</a> to launch a full inquiry into MPs' expenses will undermine attempts to draw a line under the affair.

But <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/sun_says/244723/The-Sun-Says.html">the Sun says that if Westminster's worst graspers end up in the dock,</a> it is no more than they deserve.

Iran election

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5581934/MPs-expenses-MPs-made-inflated-council-tax-claims.html"> The Telegraph carries further MP allegations, </a> this time about what it calls inflated council tax claims.

It says many MPs profited from the fact that, until last year, they could claim up to £250 a month without a receipt.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-ayatollah-speaks-ndash-and-the-protesters-are-warned-1710745.html">The Independent discusses the decision by Ayatollah al Khamenei,</a> the supreme leader of Iran, to back the disputed re-election of President Ahmedinjead.

This, and the Ayatollah's warning against further protests have made Iran and its immediate neighbourhood a more dangerous place, the paper says.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/19/iran-khamenei-mousavi-opposition-protests">The Guardian says huge numbers of Iranians </a> will not accept his assertion that the results were genuine.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/leading_article/article6539341.ece"> The Times urges President Obama</a> to speak out on liberty and human rights.

Wrapped up

A bizarre court case over a sweet wrapper, which blew out of a car window after being dropped by an 18-month-old girl, is also covered in the press.

The girl's aunt was then charged with depositing controlled waste.

<a class="inlineText" href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2492052/Councils-5k-sweet-wrapper-rap.html">The Sun says Kirklees Council spent an estimated £5,000 pursuing the case </a> after Larissa Wilkinson disputed a fixed penalty notice.

A judge at Bradford Crown Court later threw the case out, describing it as a grotesque waste of taxpayers money.