MPs lose legal fight over expenses

1:03pm Friday 16th May 2008

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The House of Commons has lost its High Court battle over an information watchdog's decision to force disclosure of MPs' expenses.

The Commons challenged the Information Tribunal's "unlawfully intrusive" demand that a detailed breakdown of MPs' additional costs allowances (ACA) must be provided under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Commons also attempted to overturn the Tribunal's decision that MPs' addresses should be disclosed, arguing they should be kept secret for special security reasons.

But Sir Igor Judge (President of the Queen's Bench Division), Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Blake ruled at London's High Court that they could not interfere with the Tribunal's decision and dismissed the challenge.

The allowances cover expenditure incurred when an MP is away from home on parliamentary duties. They include the cost of running second homes and general household bills.

They have come under sustained criticism in recent months following the publication of the "John Lewis list" of household items MPs can purchase under their £23,000-a-year second homes allowance.

The list includes £10,000 kitchens and £6,000 bathrooms.

The legal challenge, expected to cost more than £100,000, was instigated by a Commons committee chaired by Speaker Michael Martin.

The ruling has been welcomed by pressure group the TaxPayers' Alliance, whose chief executive Matthew Elliott said: "This is a victory for taxpayers and democracy in Britain.

"People have a right to know what their elected representatives are doing and taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent. This verdict will boost transparency and bring Parliament closer to the people."

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