Maclean in humiliating retreat on plan to exempt MPs from FOI laws

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Backbencher David Maclean has been widely condemned over his proposal, which he says is designed to keep correspondence between MPs and constituents secret.

Scroll down for more ...

David Maclean's purchase of a £3,300 quad bike on expenses wouldn't escape scrutiny in the latest amendment of his Private Members' Bill on secrecy

Critics argue, however, that this is already covered by the Data Protection Act and say he just wants to keep MPs' expenses beyond scrutiny.

Mr Maclean has now agreed to alter his Private Member's Bill after peers from all parties threatened to wreck it, branding it "scandalous".

The former chief whip has drafted an amendment that would force MPs to reveal minute details about their expenses and allowances.

He said: "I hope this amendment will be taken up in the Lords, which would give that absolute guarantee my opponents are demanding."

But critics vowed to fight the amended bill, claiming it is still "hypocritical" for Parliament to be exempt from any part of the Freedom of Information Act.

Mr Maclean, who bought a £3,300 quad bike on expenses, has persuaded ex-Tory minister Lord Trefgarne to sponsor the Bill in the Lords.

A group of MPs, led by Liberal Democrat Norman Baker, tried to derail the Bill in the Commons last Friday.

But it was passed by 96 votes to 25, with 25 ministers voting for it.

LibDems and Tories then vowed to shoot it down in the Lords.

Lord McNally, LibDem leader in the Lords, said last night the amendment was "unacceptable".

LibDem justice spokesman Simon Hughes added: "We cannot ask every other public authority to be open to inquiry by law, but let Parliament choose what facts and figures we reveal."