Mulholland Condemns the possible use of Parliamentary Privilege by Expenses Cheats

12.15.00pm GMT Tue 9th Feb 2010

Greg Mulholland MP for Leeds North West and leading campaigner on the issue of expenses today tabled a motion in Parliament condemning the use of Parliamentary Privilege to avoid prosecution for expenses abuses.

The motion expresses the worries of many people that the use of parliamentary privilege in this manner would give the impression to the wider public that it was one rule for MPs and Peers and another for ordinary people accused of wrong doing.

Commenting Greg Said:

"The suggestion that Parliamentary Privilege could be used to protect MPs and Peers accused of expenses abuse is quite appalling.

"Parliamentary privilege is an important tool which allows MPs to raise issues in the house without the fear of litigation, any attempt to use it in this way would further undermine public confidence in Parliament.

"There must not be one law for MPs and another for everyone else. MPs and peers must be treated like everyone else when they have been accused of breaking the law, and that includes in the case of the expenses scandal.