MPs ordered to disclose full expenses
MPs could be forced to release a more detailed breakdown of their expenses after a ruling by the information commissioner.
Richard Thomas has said six MPs including the prime minister must publish full details of their expenses, including individual journeys taken, the amount spent on staffing and full information on any “incidental expenses”.
The ruling, made last week but reported publicly today, follows a prolonged attempt by the Commons authorities to prevent full publication.
It follows a Freedom of Information (FoI) request for the comprehensive expenses of six MPs between April 2003 and March 2004.
Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, John Prescott, Michael Howard, Charles Kennedy and former Tory MP Jonathan Sayeed were asked to publish full details of their spending.
The Commons authorities resisted the FoI request, arguing it compromised MPs’ privacy.
They also said publishing details of individual journeys would “establish a pattern of travel”, opening MPs to an increased security risk.
Mr Thomas rejected these arguments, however.
The ruling stated: “The commissioner is of the view that the legitimate interests of the requestors and members of the public outweigh the prejudice to the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of the MPs concerned.”
It is widely believed the ruling will now mark a precedent for other MPs’ expenses claims, traditionally the target of much controversy.
The Commons publishes a categorised breakdown of MPs’ expenses every year but does not go into specifics.
This has left MPs vulnerable to suggestions they are abusing the system.
Last year MPs claimed an average of £135,800 in expenses, with members citing staffing as their most significant cost.
