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Clegg wants more expenses repaid Clegg wants more expenses repaid
(about 1 hour later)
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called on the expenses audit that has angered many MPs to be widened.Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg has called on the expenses audit that has angered many MPs to be widened.
He wants more scrutiny on MPs who dodged tax by switching their second home allowance, even though so-called "flipping" was not against the rules.He wants more scrutiny on MPs who dodged tax by switching their second home allowance, even though so-called "flipping" was not against the rules.
Auditor Sir Thomas Legg has already asked some MPs to repay certain household expenses, after retrospectively setting new limits.Auditor Sir Thomas Legg has already asked some MPs to repay certain household expenses, after retrospectively setting new limits.
This has angered MPs, who have accused Sir Thomas of penalising the innocent.This has angered MPs, who have accused Sir Thomas of penalising the innocent.
Mr Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron have urged their reluctant MPs to obey Sir Thomas and pay up.Mr Clegg, Gordon Brown and David Cameron have urged their reluctant MPs to obey Sir Thomas and pay up.
Like many members, Mr Clegg has questioned whether Sir Thomas has been consistent in trying to allay public criticism of Parliamentary expenses.Like many members, Mr Clegg has questioned whether Sir Thomas has been consistent in trying to allay public criticism of Parliamentary expenses.
Mr Clegg says while Sir Thomas has imposed limits on household expenses like cleaning and gardening, he has not dealt with MPs who accrued much larger sums through property deals.Mr Clegg says while Sir Thomas has imposed limits on household expenses like cleaning and gardening, he has not dealt with MPs who accrued much larger sums through property deals.
'Worst offences''Worst offences'
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Clegg said: "I think most people expected the worst offences to come under the toughest scrutiny - MPs who avoided capital gains tax, claimed cash for mortgages that didn't exist or flipped their second home so they could claim for renovations on house after house."Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Clegg said: "I think most people expected the worst offences to come under the toughest scrutiny - MPs who avoided capital gains tax, claimed cash for mortgages that didn't exist or flipped their second home so they could claim for renovations on house after house."
He added: "Every single MP who flipped, avoided capital gains tax or claimed for non-existent mortgages must be forced to repay the money and held to account.He added: "Every single MP who flipped, avoided capital gains tax or claimed for non-existent mortgages must be forced to repay the money and held to account.
"I believe we need to get MPs out of the property game altogether; they shouldn't profit from taxpayer subsidies."I believe we need to get MPs out of the property game altogether; they shouldn't profit from taxpayer subsidies.
No matter what we do we are simply not going to win back anything like respect from the public because of what we've done Stephen Pound MP
"If we want to rebuild faith in politics, there can be no half measures. Only fundamental reform will be enough.""If we want to rebuild faith in politics, there can be no half measures. Only fundamental reform will be enough."
Mr Clegg is due to repay £910 of the £3,900 he claimed for gardening between 2006 and 2009.
At Prime Ministers' Questions, the party leaders will clash for the first time since the summer recess.At Prime Ministers' Questions, the party leaders will clash for the first time since the summer recess.
Although some MPs have expressed anger and frustration over Sir Thomas's audit, it is not clear whether any of them will press the prime minister on the issue.Although some MPs have expressed anger and frustration over Sir Thomas's audit, it is not clear whether any of them will press the prime minister on the issue.
Despite the pressure from party leaders, some MPs are so disenchanted with the new audit that they have threatened to refuse to pay.Despite the pressure from party leaders, some MPs are so disenchanted with the new audit that they have threatened to refuse to pay.
'Not delighted'
The Conservative MP Sir George Young, who is the former chairman of the commons watchdog, the standards and privileges committee, thinks that is unlikely.The Conservative MP Sir George Young, who is the former chairman of the commons watchdog, the standards and privileges committee, thinks that is unlikely.
He believes any revolt will fizzle out in the face of public opinion.He believes any revolt will fizzle out in the face of public opinion.
He said: "By the time we reach the end of the process my view is there will be very few MPs who will hold out and defy what their party leaders want them to do and what the public want them to do."He said: "By the time we reach the end of the process my view is there will be very few MPs who will hold out and defy what their party leaders want them to do and what the public want them to do."
Labour MP Stephen Pound said he was not aware of anybody who was refusing to co-operate with a repayment request.
"There's some ugly stirrings in the undergrowth, people aren't exactly delighted, but no-one is saying they are refusing to do it," he said.
"Frankly, they would be absolutely mad not to accede to Sir Thomas's recommendations."
But he added: "The impression I get, and a lot of MPs get, is that no matter what we do we are simply not going to win back anything like respect from the public because of what we've done - it's so shocking to most people.
"It's a terrifying situation - we've all been tarred with the same brush, we all know it, but at least hopefully paying back the money in many cases, even when it's not absolutely legally necessary, will go some way towards it. Sadly I doubt it."