So that's alright then!

[Kathyan]

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/MPs-Expenses-Former-Home-Secretary-Jacqui-Smith-Must-Apologise-To-Commons/Article/200910215404171?lpos=Politics_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15404171_MPs_Expenses%3A_Former_Home_Secretary_Jacqui_Smith_Must_Apologise_To_Commons />
How will this restore confidence in the political system?

[flip_flop]

It is shocking isn't it. This horrible woman has been rumbled fiddling her expenses and all she has to say to get away with it is that she's 'sorry'.

To all intents and purposes, this woman (and many more from both sides of the House) have stolen from us and yet they've pretty much got away with it.

Is "I was acting within the rules" the new "I was only following orders"?

[jake-the-peg]

Perhaps we need to learn from the EU

http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/press_releases/123_09/

They are pressing charges against UKIP MEP Tom Wise

Ashley Mote MEP (Again UKIP ) got 9 months for falsely claiming thousands of pounds of income support and benefits (although that was the Department of Work and Pensions that prosecuted him)

So I guess the difference between claiming inside the rules and outside of them is - 9 Months

[BertiWooster]

Both Cameron / Brown and other MP's of their respective parties have had to repay monies they were not entitled to claim .

Why do these sorry episodes still shock you - I assume the instances on all sides shock you ?

[Gromit]

MPs threaten to revolt over demands for expenses payback

MPs are threatening to defy orders to repay the taxpayer over questionable expenses claims – with many apparently poised to call in their solicitors.

Auditors who have been pouring over the expenses claims dating back five years will today write to up to 500 past and present MPs highlighting areas of concern before inviting them to refund the public purse.
But in an astonishing act of defiance, a spokesman for the MPs warned that they would not accept “unfair” demands to repay claims which were approved by the Commons fees office.

The backlash against the audit will outrage a public which made clear its anger at MPs who excused their questionable claims by explaining that they were “within the rules”.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/6300048/MPs-threaten-to-revolt-over-demands-for-expenses-payback.html

[Kathyan]

Any MP of any party who has been found to have claimed wrongly should have to pay the money back. The fact that Jacqui Smith has just been ordered to say sorry to the house of commons is appalling to say the least!

[ummmm]

If they knowingly wrongly claimed expenses they should be sacked. That's what would happen in any other job...

[TTG]

Look ahead to next year. The votes count being reported....

"Smith.....Labour.....no votes".

lol