At a time of recession when the whole country is struggling, what a travesty the whole scenario regarding the MPs’ expenses claims is becoming.

Highwaymen wore masks when robbing people. Our “illustrious” MPs think it acceptable to “rob” taxpayers in a blatant and corrupt manner. Does the ordinary working man claim for household expenses such as basin plugs and toilet seats on his works expenses? I was always under the impression that any expense such as these were paid from a salary, and any attempt to claim other than business expenses were soon deducted from the expenses claim with a severe rebuke from the boss for trying to “over-claim”.

As a business owner, the taxman will not let us claim anything other than acceptable tax deductible expenses, and they are soon into an examination if the tax return is in default. So why are the “honourable” members allowed to behave in such a blatant way? They should be stripped of the “honourable” title and further examination should be made of the previous years’ expenses claims and repayment made.

When are the hard-working people of this country ever going to trust them again?

One solution to the second home claim would be to place all MPs in a hostel together. Their second homes should be sold and monies refunded to the country. Neil and Eve Hale, Wheldrake Lane, Crockey Hill, York.


* COURAGEOUS British servicemen and women continue to sacrifice their lives in Afghanistan while the MPs who sent them there shamefully engage in yahoo politics over claims for expenses.

What a disgusting shambles.

A sensible and clearly understood reform of MPs’ expenses is long overdue, and is only now being suggested because they have been found out.

Even then, it will take a very long time for them to regain the respect and trust of the British people by acknowledging an MP’s prime duty is to serve the people they represent, especially the servicemen and women they commit to war in defence of the high ideals they themselves seem unable to observe.

“Service before self” must be practised if democracy is to be preserved.

I hope I am not being unduly optimistic.

Cyril Shreeve, Long Furrow, Haxby, York.


* How can these people look at themselves in the mirror each morning? Their snout-in-trough obsession with screwing as much money from the public purse as they possibly can costs, overall, £93 million.

This huge amount of money could have gone towards saving God knows how many lives by providing body-armour and proper armoured-vehicles for our Armed Forces.

In a fit of pique, these dreadful people have commissioned the police to try to unearth, and probably prosecute, the “leaker” of the documentation concerning their scurrilous behaviour.

I think the “leaker” should be given a knighthood “for services to truth and honesty”.

Philip Roe, Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge.


* What a refreshing change to see a new slogan in politics. Instead of the one solely dominated by Labour, namely: “It is not our fault,” we have a new one that is shared by all parties: “It was within the rules.” This statement should not be to difficult to work within, as they made up the rules as they went along.

We now have a valid reason for the state of the country, because instead of seeing to the matters of state our MPs were out shopping for furnishings for their second homes, paid for by the taxpayer.

T J Ryder, North Lane, Dringhouses, York.


* If I had my way, some of the more blatant, belligerent, barefaced fiddlers among these so-called bricks of society would be found a second home in HM Hotel Armley, Leeds.

Ken Holmes, Cliffe Common, Selby.


* EVERY MP from every party must be trembling at the knees. The police should be brought in to see if any MP had fiddled his/her expenses.

If a person was fiddling benefits, he/she could be sent to prison, or hopefully have to pay the money back. After police investigation, if MPs are found to be fiddling their expenses, they should be brought to trial and sentenced accordingly.

But they won’t – just a slap on the hand and: “Don’t do it again, you naughty boy/girl.”

This is taxpayers’ money these people are using, not theirs – they should do the honest thing and stand down at the next General Election. Will they?

Tom Mitchell, Mendip Close, Huntington, York.


* And I thought that Mugabe’s regime was corrupt!

Daphne Stead, Low Hutton Park, Huttons Ambo.