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MPs' expenses claims are revealed MPs' expenses claims are revealed
(10 minutes later)
Senior MPs' expenses claims have been revealed, showing that John Prescott spent £4,000 in a year on food and that Tony Blair claimed for a TV licence. Several MPs' expenses claims have been revealed, showing that John Prescott spent £4,000 in a year on food and that Tony Blair claimed for a TV licence.
Gordon Brown and ex-Tory leader Michael Howard had council tax bills for their second home paid for in 2003-04, the figures also show.Gordon Brown and ex-Tory leader Michael Howard had council tax bills for their second home paid for in 2003-04, the figures also show.
Mr Brown claimed £11,826.81 for flights during the period. All six MPs received money to pay mortgages.Mr Brown claimed £11,826.81 for flights during the period. All six MPs received money to pay mortgages.
The revelations follow a freedom of information request by the BBC in 2005.The revelations follow a freedom of information request by the BBC in 2005.
Cleaning costsCleaning costs
They also cover former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy and former Tory MP Jonathan Sayeed.They also cover former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy and former Tory MP Jonathan Sayeed.
Mr Blair, prime minister from 1997 until last year, claimed £116 for his TV licence.Mr Blair, prime minister from 1997 until last year, claimed £116 for his TV licence.
Mr Prescott, his deputy during that time, did not claim for any cleaning costs, and neither did Mr Kennedy.Mr Prescott, his deputy during that time, did not claim for any cleaning costs, and neither did Mr Kennedy.
There is no suggestion that any of the claims were in breach of rules.
Following the BBC's FOI request, the House of Commons Commission argued that a detailed breakdown of travel expenses could identify regular routes travelled by MPs, exposing them to a security risk.Following the BBC's FOI request, the House of Commons Commission argued that a detailed breakdown of travel expenses could identify regular routes travelled by MPs, exposing them to a security risk.
We are all assumed to be wrong 'uns Ann Cryer, MPWe are all assumed to be wrong 'uns Ann Cryer, MP
However, in January this year the information commissioner ruled that the Commons should publish some of the details, such as individual amounts claimed for travel under three headings: MPs' travel, family travel and staff travel.However, in January this year the information commissioner ruled that the Commons should publish some of the details, such as individual amounts claimed for travel under three headings: MPs' travel, family travel and staff travel.
On Thursday, the Commons Commission said it would not appeal against the ruling.On Thursday, the Commons Commission said it would not appeal against the ruling.
Labour MP Ann Cryer said the pursuit of expenses details by journalists was "becoming a witch hunt" and politicians were "all being tarred with the same brush".Labour MP Ann Cryer said the pursuit of expenses details by journalists was "becoming a witch hunt" and politicians were "all being tarred with the same brush".
She told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "We are all assumed to be wrong 'uns. We are all assumed to be getting more money than we should be getting when, in fact, most Members of Parliament are honourable members and we aren't on the fiddle."She told BBC Radio 4's The World at One: "We are all assumed to be wrong 'uns. We are all assumed to be getting more money than we should be getting when, in fact, most Members of Parliament are honourable members and we aren't on the fiddle."
'Inappropriate'
But Liberal Democrat transport spokesman and anti-sleaze campaigner Norman Baker said: "This is public money we are talking about and we have to be accountable for it.But Liberal Democrat transport spokesman and anti-sleaze campaigner Norman Baker said: "This is public money we are talking about and we have to be accountable for it.
"The reality is a lot of this has been brought upon ourselves. The House of Commons authority have been too secretive."The reality is a lot of this has been brought upon ourselves. The House of Commons authority have been too secretive.
"There has been inappropriate expenditure which the public would not support and on odd occasions - and I agree with Ann that most MPs are honest - there has been corruption.""There has been inappropriate expenditure which the public would not support and on odd occasions - and I agree with Ann that most MPs are honest - there has been corruption."
In a separate case, the Commons recently lost an information tribunal hearing and was ordered to release a more detailed breakdown of claims by 14 MPs under their second homes allowance, including receipts where they exist.
It has not complied with the request, arguing that revealing MPs' addresses could be a security risk and has appealed to the High Court.
But it is expected to publish limited details of travel, staffing and IT expenses relating to the 14, who include Mr Brown, Mr Blair, Tory leader David Cameron and former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
Meanwhile, the Members' Estimate Committee, chaired by Speaker Michael Martin, is carrying out its own inquiry into MPs' expenses.
This followed revelations that Tory MP Derek Conway had employed his son as a researcher while he was student in Newcastle, and made payments to him worth £40,000.
The committee is due to report by the summer with its suggestions to overhaul the expenses system.