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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Speaker defends expenses reforms | Speaker defends expenses reforms |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The Commons Speaker has defended the wholesale reform of the expenses system, saying MPs will have to accept an element of "rough justice". | The Commons Speaker has defended the wholesale reform of the expenses system, saying MPs will have to accept an element of "rough justice". |
| John Bercow told BBC One's Andrew Marr show that diluting Sir Christopher Kelly's proposals was "not an option". | |
| Some MPs had hoped Mr Bercow would call for the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to review them. | Some MPs had hoped Mr Bercow would call for the new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to review them. |
| They are angry over losing mortgage interest payments on second homes and the ban on employing family members. | They are angry over losing mortgage interest payments on second homes and the ban on employing family members. |
| Mr Bercow said: "The public perception of the way in which we operate is so negative that it is necessary to accept a wholesale, fundamental and I think irrevocable change... there's an element of rough justice, but it is necessary." | |
| 'Seismic damage' | 'Seismic damage' |
| He said the damage had been "seismic" and he would not act as a "shop steward" for MPs. | |
| "Do I agree with Sir Christopher Kelly about the need to abolish state financed house purchase? The answer is that I agree with him 100%," he said. | "Do I agree with Sir Christopher Kelly about the need to abolish state financed house purchase? The answer is that I agree with him 100%," he said. |
| "Do I agree that MPs should no longer be able to employ family members? The answer is that I do agree that they should not be able to do so." | "Do I agree that MPs should no longer be able to employ family members? The answer is that I do agree that they should not be able to do so." |
| Meanwhile Mr Bercow has denied allegations that he spent £45,581 re-decorating his grace-and-favour apartment in the Palace of Westminster. | |
| The Daily Telegraph had reported that this paid for work, including new wallpaper, furniture and televisions. | |
| It said Mr Bercow previously admitted spending £20,000 making his apartment suitable for his family, but the true cost was more than twice this. | |
| But the Speaker said he had no say in much of the spending. | But the Speaker said he had no say in much of the spending. |
| In an e-mail to Telegraph editor William Lewis, Mr Bercow said the difference between the two sums, £20,000 and £45,581, was accounted for by the cost of maintenance required by the House authorities. | In an e-mail to Telegraph editor William Lewis, Mr Bercow said the difference between the two sums, £20,000 and £45,581, was accounted for by the cost of maintenance required by the House authorities. |
| He stressed he had not personally asked for the work to be done. | He stressed he had not personally asked for the work to be done. |