Spotlight on the Tories' expenses

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8043203.stm

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The <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5305293/David-Camerons-shadow-cabinet-drawn-into-expenses-scandal-MPs-expenses.html">Daily Telegraph's coverage of MPs' expenses</a> takes up 10 pages, as it turns its attention to senior members of David Cameron's shadow cabinet.

The latest revelations show the scandal has now stretched to the highest level of the Conservative party.

Among those featured is the shadow transport secretary, Theresa Villiers.

She is said to have claimed almost £16,000 in stamp duty on a flat in south London, despite having a house in her north London constituency.

Maximising benefits

For the Guardian, the Daily Telegraph's disclosures <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/may/10/mps-expenses-conservative-party-general-election">appear to show that Tory MPs have followed Labour </a> in maximising their benefits.

The Daily Mirror <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2009/05/10/a-flippin-disgrace-mp-made-320k-profit-on-expenses-flat-115875-21346086/">seizes on the case of the Conservative MP</a> James Gray.

Just when you think MPs cannot sink any lower, says the Daily Mirror, along comes Mr Gray claiming Remembrance Day wreaths on expenses.

What's revealing, suggests Peter Riddell in the Times <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/peter_riddell/article6261704.ece">is that Mr Gray even thought it a proper </a> expense.

Gamble

The Independent considers what it calls President Zadari's <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/civilians-flee-pakistan-valley-as-curfew-is-lifted-1682719.html">gamble to send his army into the </a> Swat Valley in northern Pakistan to fight Taleban militants.

It describes the vast movement of people fleeing the violence as the most immediate cost of the efforts to stall the advance of the Taleban.

The Guardian questions whether the country's army will succeed.

It says <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/10/pakistan-taliban-swat-valley">the more forces poured into battle</a> the stronger insurgency has become.

Obama's jokes

President Obama has faced many demands since he moved into the White House, such as his first state banquet or international summit.

But the Independent reckons <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/comicinchief-obama-a-hit-with-correspondents-1682590.html">one of the most daunting was his</a> first White House correspondents' dinner.

By tradition, the new president has to make a jokey speech, but the paper is unimpressed by his efforts.

The Guardian's verdict comes <a class="inlineText" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/11/barack-obama-comedy-review">from its comedy critic</a> Brian Logan, who gives Mr Obama four stars our of five.