Clamouring to do the right thing

[finncullen]

Conservative MPs are to pay back another £125,000 in expenses as a result of the party's scrutiny panel's review of claims, the BBC understands.

 

It doubles to £250,000 the amount being paid back by Conservative MPs in total.  David Cameron set up the scrutiny panel after the Daily Telegraph highlighted a number of claims which led to Tory MPs saying they would pay back £125,000.

Mr Cameron summoned all his MPs to a meeting in the Commons where he has addressed them about its findings.  The BBC's Chief Political Correspondent James Landale said he understood that an interim report covering the claims of the majority, but not all, Tory MPs would be issued later on Thursday.  He said MPs leaving the meeting described it as "harmonious".

The parliamentary authorities on Thursday said that during the recent controversy over expenses MPs had paid back £500,000 of money claimed.  The £125,000 to be paid back as a result of the Conservative scrutiny panel's review is believed to be in addition to that.

A separate body has been set up by Parliament to go through all MPs' claims over recent years, but Mr Cameron said he wanted the Conservatives to react more quickly to public anger over expenses.
 

The stable door's being bolted
But the horse is far away
And the nation is revolted
by the games our leaders play
They steal the money that we earn
to fill their trough with swill
And think the people will not learn
Their lesson - but we will!

The time has come to tell them
That their life of ease is done
And the men who buy and sell them
Will look elsewhere for their fun,
For the people's voice is louder
After being so long ignored
And the people will be prouder
When they rise up with the sword

You've smashed a country's faith in you
You've made your role a joke
We know your hearts were never true
You hid in verbal smoke
Go on, go now, your time is spent
Go set my people free
I don't care what you say you meant
You never spoke for me.