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All MPs must say sorry - Cameron All MPs must say sorry - Cameron
(about 6 hours later)
Conservative leader David Cameron says MPs must say sorry over controversial expenses claims, as the focus of leaked claims turns on his own party.Conservative leader David Cameron says MPs must say sorry over controversial expenses claims, as the focus of leaked claims turns on his own party.
He said MPs had to admit the system "was wrong and we're sorry about it".He said MPs had to admit the system "was wrong and we're sorry about it".
The Daily Telegraph has reported that Tory MP Alan Duncan recouped £4,000 for gardening costs over three years, including a ride-on lawnmower.The Daily Telegraph has reported that Tory MP Alan Duncan recouped £4,000 for gardening costs over three years, including a ride-on lawnmower.
He said all claims were "legitimate". Plans for an independent auditing body for claims are expected on Monday.He said all claims were "legitimate". Plans for an independent auditing body for claims are expected on Monday.
The Telegraph has been running leaks, hitherto largely of Labour ministers' and MPs' claims for their second homes.The Telegraph has been running leaks, hitherto largely of Labour ministers' and MPs' claims for their second homes.
The Telegraph's reports of Tory claims include: The Telegraph's reports of Tory expenses claims include:
  • More than £2,000 received by Oliver Letwin to replace a leaking pipe under a tennis court. The shadow minister responded: "I was served a statutory notice by the water company to repair the leaking pipe, which runs underneath the tennis court and garden. No improvements were made to the tennis court or garden."
  • Shadow universities secretary David Willetts's claim of more than £100 for workmen to replace 25 light bulbs at his home. "We had problems with our lighting system which had caused many lights to fuse and needed the attention of an electrician," he said.
  • Reimbursement of £4.47 for dog food to shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan, who said the claim had been made in mistake and would be repaid.
  • More than £2,000 received by Oliver Letwin to replace a leaking pipe under a tennis court. The shadow minister responded: "I was served a statutory notice by the water company to repair the leaking pipe, which runs underneath the tennis court and garden. No improvements were made to the tennis court or garden."
  • Shadow universities secretary David Willetts's claim of more than £100 for workmen to replace 25 light bulbs at his home. "We had problems with our lighting system which had caused many lights to fuse and needed the attention of an electrician," he said.
  • Thousands of pounds for renovations by Chris Grayling to a London flat 17 miles from his family home. He said: "In addition to serving my constituents, I have spent several years serving in the shadow cabinet, currently as the shadow home secretary. A second home enables me to meet those commitments." In response to an allegation that he delayed claims to maximise what he received, he said all claims had been submitted "at the point which I received the invoices".
  • Reimbursement of £4.47 for dog food to shadow Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan, who said the claim had been made in mistake and would be repaid.
Mr Cameron called it "another bad day for Parliament and, frankly, a bad day for the Conservative Party".Mr Cameron called it "another bad day for Parliament and, frankly, a bad day for the Conservative Party".
"We have to acknowledge just how bad this is. The public are really angry and we have to start by saying, look, this system that we had, that we used, that we operated, that we took part in - it was wrong and we're sorry about it.""We have to acknowledge just how bad this is. The public are really angry and we have to start by saying, look, this system that we had, that we used, that we operated, that we took part in - it was wrong and we're sorry about it."
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron was "trying to gain some credit for admitting that MPs designed the system that was flawed, and can't simply blame that system".BBC political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron was "trying to gain some credit for admitting that MPs designed the system that was flawed, and can't simply blame that system".
All subsequent claims reflect this legitimate change in my arrangements Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley Rules' 'spirit'
According to the Telegraph, a £3,194 bill for gardening submitted by Mr Duncan in March 2007 was not paid after officials said it might not be "within the spirit" of the rules.According to the Telegraph, a £3,194 bill for gardening submitted by Mr Duncan in March 2007 was not paid after officials said it might not be "within the spirit" of the rules.
In a letter, the fees office said gardening costs were intended "to cover only basic essentials such as grass cutting".In a letter, the fees office said gardening costs were intended "to cover only basic essentials such as grass cutting".
But the paper said Mr Duncan, who oversees party policy on MPs' expenses, recouped £4,000 in expenses for gardening costs over three years.But the paper said Mr Duncan, who oversees party policy on MPs' expenses, recouped £4,000 in expenses for gardening costs over three years.
In March 2007, he claimed £598 to overhaul a ride-on lawnmower, the Telegraph added.In March 2007, he claimed £598 to overhaul a ride-on lawnmower, the Telegraph added.
The new flat purchased was properly designated as our second home and enabled me to carry out my parliamentary duties Shadow cabinet office minister Francis Maude
Mr Duncan challenged the report, saying he had consulted officials about what could and could not be claimed for.Mr Duncan challenged the report, saying he had consulted officials about what could and could not be claimed for.
"It was me who raised the issue of gardening costs with the fees office. Although it was a legitimate claim, we agreed that it might be seen as too large a single item and therefore I did not claim it."
He also claimed he was the first MP to publish his expenses on his website.He also claimed he was the first MP to publish his expenses on his website.
Shadow cabinet office minister Francis Maude had claimed almost £35,000 in mortgage interest payments on a London flat that he bought, close to a house he already owned and then rented out, reported the Telegraph.
Mr Maude said: "The London house I rented out had been bought, renovated and furnished with our own money, with the exception of a modestly priced replacement bed.
"The new flat purchased was therefore properly designated as our second home and enabled me to carry out my parliamentary duties. It was also renovated and furnished entirely with our own money."
'Flipping'
The Telegraph alleges that shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley changed his designated second home in order to claim more expenses - a tactic known as "flipping", which Mr Lansley denies.The Telegraph alleges that shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley changed his designated second home in order to claim more expenses - a tactic known as "flipping", which Mr Lansley denies.
The paper reported that he spent thousands of pounds renovating a country cottage before selling it, then designated a London flat as his second home and claimed for thousands of pounds in furnishings.The paper reported that he spent thousands of pounds renovating a country cottage before selling it, then designated a London flat as his second home and claimed for thousands of pounds in furnishings.
In a statement, Mr Lansley said: "Until late 2005, my main family home was in London as that is where I spent the majority of my time.In a statement, Mr Lansley said: "Until late 2005, my main family home was in London as that is where I spent the majority of my time.
"In late 2005 my daughter started at nursery school in Cambridgeshire and from that point onwards my constituency home became my main residence."In late 2005 my daughter started at nursery school in Cambridgeshire and from that point onwards my constituency home became my main residence.
"In my view it would have been contrary to the requirements of the ACA (Additional Costs Allowance) if I had not switched the definition of my main residence at that point. All subsequent claims reflect this legitimate change in my arrangements.""In my view it would have been contrary to the requirements of the ACA (Additional Costs Allowance) if I had not switched the definition of my main residence at that point. All subsequent claims reflect this legitimate change in my arrangements."
Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove strongly denied "flipping", after the Telegraph reported he spent more than £7,000 on a London property over five months in 2006, before claiming more than £13,000 on a Surrey property.
Mr Gove responded that his principal home had been in Surrey since before his election in May 2005. A London property that had previously been rented out was designated as his second home from later that year, he said.
'Arm's length''Arm's length'
Plans for an independent auditing body to oversee MPs' expenses claims are expected to be approved on Monday, following weeks of damaging stories.Plans for an independent auditing body to oversee MPs' expenses claims are expected to be approved on Monday, following weeks of damaging stories.
Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell said MPs would be asked to approve the body, made up entirely of independent people.Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell said MPs would be asked to approve the body, made up entirely of independent people.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said MPs faced "a challenge and wake-up call" and the system needed to change.Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said MPs faced "a challenge and wake-up call" and the system needed to change.
Sir Stuart said an independent audit body - separate from the Commons fees office which agrees the claims - would be set up to analyse "every claim that is made".Sir Stuart said an independent audit body - separate from the Commons fees office which agrees the claims - would be set up to analyse "every claim that is made".
If the reports are in all cases correct, then there clearly are instances where MPs have lost contact with the difference between right and wrong Chris HuhneLib Dems MPs' moral authority 'at low ebb' MPs' expense claims - key detailsIf the reports are in all cases correct, then there clearly are instances where MPs have lost contact with the difference between right and wrong Chris HuhneLib Dems MPs' moral authority 'at low ebb' MPs' expense claims - key details
The fees office is overseen by a committee made up of MPs and independent people - who in turn are overseen by the National Audit Office.The fees office is overseen by a committee made up of MPs and independent people - who in turn are overseen by the National Audit Office.
The new body would be entirely independent and cost about £600,000 a year to run.The new body would be entirely independent and cost about £600,000 a year to run.
Millions of receipts backing up all MPs' expenses claims under the second homes allowance were due to be published in July after a long Freedom of Information campaign.Millions of receipts backing up all MPs' expenses claims under the second homes allowance were due to be published in July after a long Freedom of Information campaign.
But details have been leaked to the Telegraph - which has been publishing selected excerpts over the last few days.But details have been leaked to the Telegraph - which has been publishing selected excerpts over the last few days.
For the Liberal Democrats, Chris Huhne said: "If the reports are in all cases correct, then there clearly are instances where MPs have lost contact with the difference between right and wrong.
"I think we need to make sure we're saying that loud and clear because, frankly, the voters are not going to be at all sympathetic if we don't."