MPs expenses will be investigated ‘immediately’
By Laura MIller
The government has brought forward the inquiry into MPs expenses in the wake of a series of embarrassing scandals including Jacqui Smith’s claim for two porn films ordered by her husband.
The Committee on Standards and Public Life will defer work on a current enquiry so the new inquiry, which was not due to start until the autumn, can begin immediately.
The move follows claims civil servants had begun touting lists of MPs expenses to national newspapers for up to £300,000, after revelations at the weekend that home secretary Jacqui Smith submitted an expense claim for two adult films, as well as ‘Oceans 13’ and ‘Surf’s Up’, all at £5 each, along with her £67 claim for a broadband and television package.
The home secretary is already under investigation for claiming the full allowance of £116,000 a year for the room she stays in at her sisters as her main residence.
Gordon Brown had faced criticism from Tory leader David Cameron for “kicking the inquiry into the long grass”.
