Bridget calls for openness on MPs expenses, unlike Labour

8.07.00pm GMT Mon 19th Jan 2009

Bridget is calling for MPs to be honest about their expenses

The Labour MP for Islington South & Finsbury, Emily Thornberry, has caused anger by backing Government plans to no longer require MPs to reveal the details of their expenses. Local councillors already have to make all their expenses open to public scrutiny.

Speaking on The Westminster Hour on BBC Radio 4, Ms Thornberry said that she 'didn't know what all the fuss was about'. The new rules, which will see MP's expenses excluded from the Freedom of Information Act, will mean that scandals such as the revelation that Derek Conway MP employed his sons as researchers despite not being able to demonstrate that they had actually done any work for him, or the discovery that Ms Thornberry's neighbouring Labour MP Dianne Abbot spends thousands of pounds of taxpayers' money on taxis each year, may never come to light.

Bridget Fox, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Islington South & Finsbury, commented:

"I believe that Members of Parliament should be accountable to the people they represent. Ms Thornberry does not seem to believe that the residents of Islington should be allowed to know what she is spending their money on. Does she think that being accountable is too much hard work?

"At a time when many Islington residents are having to fill in detailed tax returns or benefits claims, it is arrogant of Ms Thornberry to claim that MPs like her are too important to do the same. Politicians should live by the same rules as everyone else. It is outrageous that the Labour Government and Ms Thornberry, whose salaries we all pay, tried to hide their expenses claims- what have they got to hide?"

Related Link:

Emily Thornberry on MPs expenses.