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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Labour MPs to declare family jobs | Labour MPs to declare family jobs |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Gordon Brown has ordered all Labour MPs to declare "as soon as possible" details of any relatives they employ. | Gordon Brown has ordered all Labour MPs to declare "as soon as possible" details of any relatives they employ. |
| In a letter to the Speaker, he says he has told Labour MPs not to wait until April, as recommended by the Commons standards committee earlier. | In a letter to the Speaker, he says he has told Labour MPs not to wait until April, as recommended by the Commons standards committee earlier. |
| Conservative leader David Cameron has already told his frontbenchers to declare any employed relatives, plus a range of other expenditure. | Conservative leader David Cameron has already told his frontbenchers to declare any employed relatives, plus a range of other expenditure. |
| The initiatives come after a series of revelations about MPs employing family. | The initiatives come after a series of revelations about MPs employing family. |
| The Commons estimates committee announced on Tuesday it was to hold a review of expenses after claims public money was being misused. It is due to report in October. | The Commons estimates committee announced on Tuesday it was to hold a review of expenses after claims public money was being misused. It is due to report in October. |
| I have made clear to all Labour MPs that they must be fully transparent in their declarations Gordon Brown's letter Cameron sets out expenses changes | |
| In a letter to Speaker Michael Martin, the chairman of the estimates committee, Gordon Brown said he welcomed its review, saying a "root-and-branch overhaul of the current system" was needed. | In a letter to Speaker Michael Martin, the chairman of the estimates committee, Gordon Brown said he welcomed its review, saying a "root-and-branch overhaul of the current system" was needed. |
| "I have made clear to all Labour MPs that they must be fully transparent in their declarations and must abide, not by April but as soon as possible, with the Committee on Standards and Privileges' opinion that the employment of family members should be declared," he said. | "I have made clear to all Labour MPs that they must be fully transparent in their declarations and must abide, not by April but as soon as possible, with the Committee on Standards and Privileges' opinion that the employment of family members should be declared," he said. |
| He warned against "a quick fix which would fail to solve the problem in the long term" and said "robust systems that can advise on, monitor, identify and investigate any abuse of the rules" were necessary. | He warned against "a quick fix which would fail to solve the problem in the long term" and said "robust systems that can advise on, monitor, identify and investigate any abuse of the rules" were necessary. |
| Flat expenses | |
| The issue has been under the spotlight following the case of Derek Conway, who had the Tory whip withdrawn and was suspended from the House of Commons over payments to his son, Freddie, out of his MP's allowance. | The issue has been under the spotlight following the case of Derek Conway, who had the Tory whip withdrawn and was suspended from the House of Commons over payments to his son, Freddie, out of his MP's allowance. |
| Many MPs employ a relative as secretaries or researchers and there is no rule against it - but there has been no requirement to declare the relationship. | Many MPs employ a relative as secretaries or researchers and there is no rule against it - but there has been no requirement to declare the relationship. |
| Also this week, husband and wife Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton have defended claiming back rent for a flat which they bought and then put into a trust. | Also this week, husband and wife Tory MPs Sir Nicholas and Ann Winterton have defended claiming back rent for a flat which they bought and then put into a trust. |
| Mr Brown's letter came a few hours after Mr Cameron said he expected all his frontbench spokespeople to declare details of any allowances spent, and any relatives they employ. | Mr Brown's letter came a few hours after Mr Cameron said he expected all his frontbench spokespeople to declare details of any allowances spent, and any relatives they employ. |
| He said the public had "a greater right to know" about the use of allowances and every front bench MP would need to name their staff, the position they held and where they worked. | He said the public had "a greater right to know" about the use of allowances and every front bench MP would need to name their staff, the position they held and where they worked. |
| He also said he hoped Tory backbenchers would do the same. | He also said he hoped Tory backbenchers would do the same. |
| Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has urged greater "transparency" over MPs' expenses and has proposed a ban on employing more than one relative, spot checks on expenses claims and has said all expenses over £50 should require a receipt - rather than those over £250, as now. | Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has urged greater "transparency" over MPs' expenses and has proposed a ban on employing more than one relative, spot checks on expenses claims and has said all expenses over £50 should require a receipt - rather than those over £250, as now. |