ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ON MPS EXPENSES SAYS MULHOLLAND

4.42.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 11th May 2009

Greg Mulholland MP, who has been a leading figure in calling for reform of the discredited MPs allowances system has today called for reform of the MPs expenses system; including moving towards MPs living in House of Commons owned accommodation to stop any possibility of MPs making money from second home allowance payments.

Greg said;

"Sadly it is clear that a considerable number of MPs have been exploiting the allowances system for personal gain. Parliament has been seriously damaged by this and we need urgent action to be taken where any MP has abused the system as well as reform.

The current system is a mess and should have been changed years ago. MPs should not able to use taxpayers money to profit from property. The new system should ensure that this situation is never allowed to arise again.

It is also high-time that the House of Commons acquired accommodation for MPs to live in; this now seems the only way to lift the veil of mistrust that has understandably descended over Parliament. This way the public would know that MPs could not make money from their second home and the taxpayer would retain the asset rather than paying mortgage interest or rent. So, this would be better value for the taxpayer as well as going some way to restore public confidence in Parliament."

Greg has previously called for any Minister who has been misusing allowances to be sacked by Gordon Brown;

"In any other walk of life, misappropriating expenses would lead to dismissal. It should be no different for MPs."