The Lords destroy bid to keep MPs' expenses secret

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.

Tory MP David Maclean's controversial Bill to exempt MPs from the Freedom of Information Act failed to win the support of a single member of the House of Lords by a deadline of 5pm yesterday.

The collapse was hailed by opponents as a triumph for democracy over the self-interest of politicians.

Scroll down for more...

MP David Maclean has until today to find House of Lords support for his bill

It followed an outcry at the prospect of

denying constituents the right to see how much their MP was spending on travel expenses and other allowances.

Nearly 100 MPs, including at least 20 Ministers, voted last month in favour of the Private Member's Bill, which would have shrouded details of their taxpayer-funded expenses in secrecy. Just 25 MPs opposed it.

Mr Maclean needed just one willing peer to sponsor his Freedom of Information (Amendment) Bill in the Lords by yesterday - but the support was not forthcoming.

Liberal Democrat leader in the Lords, Lord McNally, said that it was now highly unlikely that 'this squalid little Bill' would ever reach the Statute Book.

'We are happy that this Bill will not become law. It speaks volumes that no member of the House of Lords was prepared to support this legislation,' he said.

Even if it had found a sponsor the Lords would have defeated it in a vote, he added.

Labour MP and civil liberties campaigner David Winnick said he was 'absolutely delighted' that the Bill had failed to find a sponsor.

'It is unfortunate that it has been left to the second chamber to hopefully bury this nasty Bill. I only hope that no further attempt will be made to revive the measure,' he said.