Local MPs’ expenses claims to be laid bare

The latest expense claims submitted by Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin and Newhey & Milnrow MP Phil Woolas, are being published today.

The Commons authority were expected to release the 2008/9 additional cost allowance — the part of the expenses which allows MPs to run a second property in London. The ACA caused much controversy earlier this year after abuses of the system were uncovered, including MPs claiming for phantom mortgages, tens of thousands of pounds on interior designers and a £6,000 television.

The expenses scandal has rocked Westminster to its core and destroyed reputations of many MPs who were outed for frivolously spending taxpayers’ money.

Police investigating the most serious alleged abuses have referred four cases to the Crown Prosecution Service. Four MPs or Lords, who have not been named, could face a maximum of seven to 10 years in prison if found guilty of fraud or false accounting.

The 2008-09 expenses were submitted before the the Daily Telegraph obtained a copy of every MPs' claims from 2004-2008 and exposed the wrongdoing. It means more revelations could come to light in the 2008-9 claims of other MPs.

Large parts of claims are blacked out when they are published on the Parliament website.
Last week a leaked copy of Tory leader David Cameron’s expenses showed the multi-millionaire had claimed for 40p chocolate bars.

He previously had slammed MPs' claims that were 'unethical and wrong' and said some of his colleagues had 'let the public down'.

MPs' expenses will be available to view at www.parliament.uk.

The first three months of 2009-10 will also be available.