MPs' Expenses
Issue- Labour is taking action to sweep away the discredited system of MPs expenses.
Key points
- People want us to sort this out once and for all - not sink into a slanging match of David Cameron's making. We have taken action to sweep away the old discredited system and bring in a new system. Self regulation has now given way to statutory regulation by a body independent of MPs.
- The Conservatives had the opportunity to back a change in the law which would ensure that MPs could not cite Parliamentary Privilege to defend themselves against charges relating to expenses. Not only did they say that such a law was unnecessary - but David Cameron actually voted against it.
- It would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of an ongoing legal case. No one believes that an MP has the right to be above the criminal law. Parliamentary privilege was clearly not intended to cover this. The DPP has said it is for the courts to determine whether parliamentary privilege applies. If necessary we will legislate to clarify this.
- The Labour Party has suspended the three MPs who face criminal charges and has barred them from standing again as Labour candidates for Parliament.
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