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Expenses 'deals' anger Boothroyd Expenses 'deals' anger Boothroyd
(about 9 hours later)
Ex-Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd has said she would be "appalled" if details of expenses repayments made by some MPs were kept secret.Ex-Commons Speaker Baroness Boothroyd has said she would be "appalled" if details of expenses repayments made by some MPs were kept secret.
She was reacting to reports that the standards commissioner settled multiple complaints against MPs last year without publicising their outcomes.She was reacting to reports that the standards commissioner settled multiple complaints against MPs last year without publicising their outcomes.
The former Labour MP told the BBC the public had a "right to know" if money was repaid and the amounts concerned.The former Labour MP told the BBC the public had a "right to know" if money was repaid and the amounts concerned.
Parliament's standards watchdog has denied offering "secret deals" to MPs.Parliament's standards watchdog has denied offering "secret deals" to MPs.
Current Speaker John Bercow has called for greater transparency in all aspects of expenses but made it clear this particular matter was one for Standards Commissioner John Lyon.
No reprimandNo reprimand
There were 16 cases last year in which MPs accused of failure to declare an interest or misuse of expenses or facilities were allowed to repay money without a public reprimand.There were 16 cases last year in which MPs accused of failure to declare an interest or misuse of expenses or facilities were allowed to repay money without a public reprimand.
Standards Commissioner John Lyon has said those making complaints against MPs were always told of the verdicts and were free to publicise the details. Mr Lyon's office has said those making complaints against MPs were always told of the verdicts and were free to publicise the details.
There should be no hiding there at all Baroness Boothroyd Suited Bercow 'letting side down'There should be no hiding there at all Baroness Boothroyd Suited Bercow 'letting side down'
But Baroness Boothroyd, Speaker between 1992 and 2000, said this "should not be allowed to happen".But Baroness Boothroyd, Speaker between 1992 and 2000, said this "should not be allowed to happen".
"It is something that was brought in, I think, by the last Speaker."It is something that was brought in, I think, by the last Speaker.
"I am appalled if that is the case that this can be done behind the scenes - you pay up and we won't name you," she told the BBC's Straight Talk with Andrew Neil programme."I am appalled if that is the case that this can be done behind the scenes - you pay up and we won't name you," she told the BBC's Straight Talk with Andrew Neil programme.
Exact details of what MPs were asked to repay should be published as a matter of public record, she argued, whether it was a few hundred pounds or many thousands.Exact details of what MPs were asked to repay should be published as a matter of public record, she argued, whether it was a few hundred pounds or many thousands.
"We have a right to know, absolutely I agree with that. No, there should be no hiding there at all.""We have a right to know, absolutely I agree with that. No, there should be no hiding there at all."
Dozens of MPs stood accused of misusing their Parliamentary allowances when leaked details of claims were published by the Daily Telegraph.Dozens of MPs stood accused of misusing their Parliamentary allowances when leaked details of claims were published by the Daily Telegraph.
Many have volunteered to repay sums in the face of angry constituents, some were told to repay money and others were investigated by Mr Lyon and later reprimanded by the Commons standards committee.Many have volunteered to repay sums in the face of angry constituents, some were told to repay money and others were investigated by Mr Lyon and later reprimanded by the Commons standards committee.
'Less serious''Less serious'
But others have been allowed to repay money without public censure under what is called a "rectification procedure".But others have been allowed to repay money without public censure under what is called a "rectification procedure".
Mr Lyon said this was used when there was "no clear evidence" that rules were intentionally broken, when it was "at the less serious end of the spectrum" and when MPs agreed to make necessary repayments.Mr Lyon said this was used when there was "no clear evidence" that rules were intentionally broken, when it was "at the less serious end of the spectrum" and when MPs agreed to make necessary repayments.
Either the MP or the complainant concerned were free to release the details and, in some cases, did.Either the MP or the complainant concerned were free to release the details and, in some cases, did.
However, the names of MPs dealt with in this way are not listed in the watchdog's annual reports.However, the names of MPs dealt with in this way are not listed in the watchdog's annual reports.
The Commons Members Estimate Committee says the names of all MPs who have made any repayments made after April 2009 will be published anyway - in a list due to be released within weeks alongside the report of expenses auditor Sir Thomas Legg.The Commons Members Estimate Committee says the names of all MPs who have made any repayments made after April 2009 will be published anyway - in a list due to be released within weeks alongside the report of expenses auditor Sir Thomas Legg.
Watch Straight Talk on the BBC News Channel on Saturday at 0430 GMT and 2230 GMT and on Sunday at 0130 GMT, 1530 GMT and 2330 GMT.Watch Straight Talk on the BBC News Channel on Saturday at 0430 GMT and 2230 GMT and on Sunday at 0130 GMT, 1530 GMT and 2330 GMT.