Not fair to sack spouses: Harman

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There has been anger in the Commons about reports Sir Christopher Kelly is to outlaw the employment of family members, ending the long-standing practice of many MPs of employing their spouses as secretaries.

Ms Harman said if the new independent expenses watchdog adopts the recommendation she said it would not be "fair" to dismiss existing employees.

She told BBC 1's Andrew Marr Show said: "If Sir Christopher Kelly recommends that MPs shouldn't be able to employ any family members for the future and if that's what the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority decides I think two things: firstly there shouldn't be any shadow cast over the existing spouses who are working very hard.

"I think it would be wrong to judge them all as not doing a good job, I don't believe that to be the case.

"Secondly, I do think it would be fair not to sack existing spouses who are working for MPs.

"I think if they are going to suggest something it should be for the future, they can't simply say 'you have all got to be made redundant'."

Sir Christopher will report on Wednesday, but MPs will not get to vote on his proposals.

Instead it will be for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (Ipsa), set up in the wake of the expenses scandal, to decide on the new regime.