The old adage, when in a hole stop digging, apparently does not apply to MPs. Just when you thought that public credibility in the House of Commons and MPs could sink no lower, it has emerged that MPs are trying to prevent the publication of details about unpaid food and drinks bills they have run up in the Commons.
Under pressure from MP’s the House authorities have already delayed releasing the data in response to freedom of information requests after MPs (at least from their point of view) apparently reacted furiously to the prospect of details of their bar tabs (paid and unpaid) and meal bills being exposed to the scrutiny of the ordinary people who pay their salaries.
A significant number (a few hundred apparently) of MPs are believed to be liable for large tabs in the restaurants and bars in the Palace of Westminster, some of which may run to thousands of pounds. The Times (15.02.2010) revealed that as of the end of the summer of 2009, some 329 MPs owed a total of £138,046.
MPs have demanded that data protection laws be considered as a defence to prevent release of the information, MPs have already tried to use the Data Protection Act (unsuccessfully) to stop the release of a detailed breakdown of MPs’ second-home allowance claims.
It’s enough to turn an MP to drink, well…as long as someone else is paying.
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