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MPs could avoid expenses reform MPs could avoid expenses reform
(10 minutes later)
One of the radical changes Gordon Brown is proposing to Commons expenses might not apply to Northern Ireland's MPs.One of the radical changes Gordon Brown is proposing to Commons expenses might not apply to Northern Ireland's MPs.
The Prime Minister said the second homes allowance should be replaced with flat-rate daily expenses based on Commons attendance.The Prime Minister said the second homes allowance should be replaced with flat-rate daily expenses based on Commons attendance.
But he is to ask an ethics committee to look at the circumstances in N Ireland before applying the change.But he is to ask an ethics committee to look at the circumstances in N Ireland before applying the change.
That could mean Sinn Fein's MPs get an allowance despite refusing to take their Commons seats.That could mean Sinn Fein's MPs get an allowance despite refusing to take their Commons seats.
The Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said his party would clearly abide by whatever rules and regulations are put in place.The Sinn Fein MP for Newry and Armagh Conor Murphy said his party would clearly abide by whatever rules and regulations are put in place.
However, he added that his party were determined that none of their democratic entitlements were diminished.However, he added that his party were determined that none of their democratic entitlements were diminished.
"It seems to me the people who will be worried by these measures are not those of us who have abided by the rules but rather those MPs and politicians who are grossing hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money in salaries, allowances and equally importantly through the direct employment of relatives or the payment of mortgages on second homes," he said."It seems to me the people who will be worried by these measures are not those of us who have abided by the rules but rather those MPs and politicians who are grossing hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers money in salaries, allowances and equally importantly through the direct employment of relatives or the payment of mortgages on second homes," he said.
Hugely expensive
The Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson condemned the decision not to automatically remove the second home allowance for Northern Ireland MPs.The Ulster Unionist MEP Jim Nicholson condemned the decision not to automatically remove the second home allowance for Northern Ireland MPs.
He said: "It is nothing less than a blatant - and hugely expensive - sop to Sinn Fein's absentee MPs."He said: "It is nothing less than a blatant - and hugely expensive - sop to Sinn Fein's absentee MPs."
The DUP leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson welcomed the Prime Minister's package of reforms.The DUP leader and East Belfast MP Peter Robinson welcomed the Prime Minister's package of reforms.
Although he said he had not seen the detail he said he would broadly support the principles.Although he said he had not seen the detail he said he would broadly support the principles.
A spokesman for the SDLP said they welcomed any method which improves public confidence in MPs' allowances.A spokesman for the SDLP said they welcomed any method which improves public confidence in MPs' allowances.
However the party spokesman expressed concern that any changes should be well thought out and not rushed through parliament.However the party spokesman expressed concern that any changes should be well thought out and not rushed through parliament.
The Government wants the changes in place by July.The Government wants the changes in place by July.
MPs will also no longer be allowed directly to employ staff, with the House of Commons instead becoming responsible for conditions, contracts and salaries.MPs will also no longer be allowed directly to employ staff, with the House of Commons instead becoming responsible for conditions, contracts and salaries.
Gordon Brown said he would call a Commons vote as early as next week.Gordon Brown said he would call a Commons vote as early as next week.