The MPs’ expenses scandal Ben Leapman Deputy News Editor, The Sunday Telegraph (London, UK) Right to Know Week, Ottawa, September 28, 2009 Pre This presentation, including all text and images, is copyright of Telegraph Media Group 2009, and no part may be used or reproduced without permission
Freedom of Information Act 2000 UK lagged behind Canada and the USA FOIA became law 2000, implemented 2005 Some MPs’ expenses details released 2004
UK Parliamentary expenses MPs earn £ 65, 000 (C$113, 000) a year Plus ‘second home allowance’ up to £ 24, 000 (C$42, 000) a year In 2005, I asked to see receipts showing how money was spent, expenses details released ‘ 04
How the investigation was delayed 2005 – House of Commons refused to disclose 2007 – UK Information Commissioner called for partial release Feb 2008 – Information Tribunal rules in favour of 3 journalists June 2008 – Commons loses in High Court and concedes defeat May 2009 – Telegraph publishes leaked ‘Expenses Files’ June 2009 – Formal publication. . . with much of the detail blanked out
The Expenses Files A minister claimed £ 45, 000 (C$79, 000) in ‘second home’ expenses, then sold the property while designating it as her main home for tax purposes Her actions were legal, but after the revelation she repaid £ 13, 000 in tax and stepped down from the Cabinet “I understand entirely why the public hates this. The system is wrong. ” – Hazel Blears MP
The Expenses Files A Labour MP spent £ 22, 500 (C$39, 000) on repairs to her husband’s house, not in her constituency or in London Three weeks after the revelation she announces her retirement “I do understand constituents’ anger. ” – Margaret Moran MP
The Expenses Files MPs pay back money claimed for furniture, TVs, home repairs, home loan interest. . . Some MPs who fought to make Parliamentary expenses exempt from disclosure had submitted questionable claims themselves “I apologise and will pay back. ” – Fraser Kemp MP
The Expenses Files One Conservative MP’s claim of £ 1, 645 (C$2, 900) for a ‘floating duck island’ at his grand country house came to symbolise what was wrong “The ducks never liked it anyway. ” – Sir Peter Viggers MP
A disaster for politicians Speaker forced out for first time in 300 years A dozen MPs’ careers ended; total could reach 50 by next year’s election All parties suffer, especially Labour Trust in politicians falls
A victory for the free press Telegraph circulation rises, proving that hard news still sells papers Telegraph wins El Mundo’s Reporters World Award Le Monde (Paris, France), May 28, 2009
A victory for openness Hundreds of thousands of pounds repaid to taxpayers Clearer, stricter rules being drafted After this test case, other public bodies now disclosing directors’ expenses Public now expects openness – but have politicians and officials made that shift?
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