WITH reference to “Coming to the defence of our MPs” (Soapbox, October 14), I understand that the guidelines for MP expenses states that there should be no financial gain.
Therefore I feel there is no defence for an MP claiming for a mortgage which did not exist, or excessive expenses.
Surely, if you are claiming and receiving money for an expenses you have not incurred you must be making a financial gain.
I can see no difference between this practice being carried out by some MPs and benefit fraud which MPs deplore; telling us that it is our, the taxpayers’ money, which benefit fraudsters are taking and that we should help stop it. So where do they think the money comes from to pay their expenses? The only source I know is the taxpayer.
If we fail to comply with the legislation or guidelines (code of practices) brought in by MPs and the House of Lords we can expect to appear in court or fined. There is no defence for claiming non-genuine or unreasonable expenses.
Labour came to power in May 1997, giving them plenty of opportunity to sort out MPs’ expenses. We, as the populace, would not have known what was going on if it had not been for a whistle blower, and MPs of all parties would have continued to milk the expenses gravy train.
John Phillips, Blackwoods, Huby, near York.
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