Some MPs may be looking at the tidied up versions of their expenses published in the blacked out FOI release today and be thinking “if only …” “If only that was all the public got to see.”
It is only the Telegraph’s uncensored version of the receipts that allows us to know about Margaret Moran’s claim for a house in Southampton, David Chaytor’s claim for a phantom mortgage and much more besides.
Harriet Harman just told me in an interview that any problems would’ve come out anyway in the audit of past expenses which is now going to happen. But that’s only taking place as a reaction to the Telegraph’s stories.
Ms Harman also told me that you can tell from the FOI releases if “flipping” was going on because it is clear on utility bills which area MPs are claiming for and which local authority they are paying for council tax.
But it isn’t. The local authority name is blacked out on council tax bills and so is the postal address of the utilities supplier. It will add to suspicions that MPs now proclaiming their love of greater transparency are instinctively secretive or covering up misdeeds.
Harriet Harman didn’t seem to realise that the Information Commissioner had suggested that the first three digits of the second home postcode be included to maximise disclosure without jeopardising security… But she was told just that on 3rd July 2008 (col.1118 – Hansard).
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When they make the movie of the 2009 Parliament members expense scandals, I hope Rowan Atkinson, in Mr. Bean like fashion, gets to play Gordon Brown for only Rowan can do the part justice!!!
Redaction is just another way of hiding the truth. The situation is absurd, our government is absurd and the fact that these people have power – so very very wrong.
Despite what they say – we are all too aware that they have tried to hide their greed and dishonesty. This blacking-out adds to the suspicion and no matter how many times and ways they claim transparency – the big plack marker pen will prove them liars.
They treat the electorate as fools when they say that all is evident if you look in the right places – there is a lot required to dig the truth and we were probably hoping we didn’t have to personally police our own government.
Despite being a peace loving vegetarian – I have a desire to slap someone
I agree with the comments already posted and would like to add, …. reference Jon’s comment on the Speaker’s dress – I think it is time that all dress of times gone by is abandoned in both Houses, because it is of times gone by …. and it may also help both Houses when in today’s wear that they are of this planet and for us not their own schemes.
After only the most cursory look at a couple of selected MPs’ expense claims–using the Guardian’s excellent search-site–discovered that the signature (which should have been the MP’s) on several of Margaret Hodge’s claim-documents have been blanked out, and that another former Islington councillor has charged, and had granted, at least two payments for ‘eye exam’, presumably routine eye-tests.
I just tried to download the PDFs for Rt Hon Keith Hill and I’m still waiting. But as it will be mostly black ink, where do I find the uncensored info?
William Bowles
It’s a horrible lesson in unintended consequences. If they thought the official version would make them look respectable, they must now be seeing Parliament as the enemy within. With a little luck, Parliament and our MPs will soon look like Gandalf and that Satan-thing hurtling downwards at the start of Lord of the Rings 2 – trapped and mutually-doomed. (except Gandalf was a good guy – conspicuously lacking at Westminster).
If Gordon Brown and Labour need my vote they will have to make radical changes on “Constitutional Reform”. This week’s MPs expenses- were not transparent, just a BIG JOKE! MPs expense with redactions is just rubbish – they think we are fools. Mr. Brown has made series of proposal without any commitment (POLI-TRICKS). Most of these proposals are not going to be debated or put in place until after the general election (POLI-TRICKS).
Change can start by making the House of Lords a 100% elected body and by selection of 2 Lords per region (Northwest). Secondly, the election should be staggered over a four years period like the SENATE in America. The public should be able to access via the internet the issues their MPs and Lords vote on (THEIR VOTING OR LACK OF VOTING RECORDS). For example MPs who are opposed the publication of future expenses, trident missiles, ID cards (LACK OF TRANSPARENCY). This way electorates can lobby there MPs to vote on issues that are dare to them. This way we could keep them ACCOUNTABLE and HONEST!
Power for electorates to recall their MPs if there is any wrong doings. The core issues regarding “REFORM” have not been addressed. We need “CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN”- which will empower us “WE THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE”. We still have a long way to go, no more “WINDOW DRESSING GORDON”. We need “CHANGE NOW”
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