MPs Expenses: Stop your bloody whinging and pay up!

There are many MPs whining that it's "not fair" that they have to repay some of their expenses because their claims were "within the rules". Well boo bloody hoo. It is a totally false claim to say that they were working within the rules - in reality they have been able to make dodgy claims because there was nothing specific within the rules to stop them - and that is completely different. MPs have misused and abused a system that relied on the people using it to behave honourably. To say "I haven't broken the law" or "it was within the rules" is not good enough. Many MPs have claimed for expenses that would not stand up to the scrutiny of their constituents. They got hold of our money purely because the rules weren't strong enough to stop corruption.

Any MP who cannot explain his or her expense claims to their constituents should pay that money back - end of chat.

The following is from the Green Book (Parliamentary Salaries, Allowances and Pensions booklet):

Use of Parliamentary allowances

It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself when you submit a claim, or authorise payments from your staffing allowance, that any expenditure claimed from the allowances has been wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred for the purpose of performing your Parliamentary duties. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards may investigate allegations of improper use of the allowances.

If you overspend, or mischarge something to your allowances, we reserve the right to deduct the costs from your salary or, if you are leaving the House, your resettlement grant.

Andrew Walker

Director of Finance & Administration

Many MPs have ripped the taxpayer off by working "within the rules". Those MPs should shut the hell up and think themselves very lucky to still be in our employment.