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MPs to block rise for man who exposed perks
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent17.07.08
MPs are threatening to block a bumper pay rise for the Information Commissioner who forced open damning revelations about their expenses.
They are due to vote next Monday on a £41,000 increase - more than 40 per cent - for Richard Thomas, taking his pay to £140,000 a year.
But many Labour MPs are furious that allowing such a huge rise for a senior public figure will undermine the Government's stance on pay restraint for millions of public sector workers, including many on strike today after being offered an increase of just over two per cent.
They are pointing the finger at Justice Secretary Jack Straw for pushing for the rise for Mr Thomas. The Commissioner's office insisted that his salary was being "regraded" after an independent review and it was not a standard pay rise.
"Richard Thomas accepted reappointment to the role of Information Commissioner on the basis that the salary would be regraded," a spokesman said, stressing he had earned £150,000 a year in legal practice before first taking the public role in 2002.
Mr Thomas has angered MPs by forcing them to reveal sometimes embarrassing details of expenses claims. Blocking a pay increase for him is likely to be seen partly as them getting their revenge. But his spokesman added: "Regulators are not there to be popular. They are there to enforce the law."
MPs reluctantly accepted a pay increase of around two per cent despite an independent review suggesting a higher figure which was opposed by Gordon Brown.
The Children's Commissioner earns about £175,000 and the Parliamentary Ombudsman between £155,000-£160,000.
Reader views (4)
In these times it is difficult to justify that kind of rise (way greater than the average total salary), but by gum they are a bunch of hypocrites!
- Deborah, London
Vengeful peasants!
- Chuck Unsworth, London
He has done a very good job in exposing MPs perks - however we are in a recession and government spending has to be reigned in - look at the budget deficit. Far too many of these public sector jobs are £100,000+ with a pension that the private sector can only dream about. So I am afraid it should be around 2%
- Jeremy E, London
He might not get the pay rise but he certainly deserves a medal!
- Dave, london
