Lib Dems hit out over expenses

A Government bid to hide MP expenses has been condemned as disgraceful by local Liberal Democrats.

It follows an announcement by Harriet Harman, leader of the Commons, that the Government is trying to keep MPs from having to publish their expenses under the Freedom of Information Act.

Lib Dems say external auditing and tough new restrictions on what MPs can claim have also been watered down, while a ban on buying large household goods, like televisions, has been scrapped.

Elwyn Watkins, Liberal Democrat Councillor in Rochdale and Parliamentary candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “This is absolutely disgraceful. MPs’ expenses are paid for from the public purse and so the public has a right to know that their money is being spent properly, rather than on expensive plasma-screen televisions for their second homes.

“This latest attempt by Labour to keep information secret and keep government unaccountable reflects very badly on both the Labour party and Parliament itself.

“Politicians must work to earn the public trust, and actions like this just undermine what little trust there is.”

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