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Mandelson blasts press for smearing MPs with ‘stolen’ files
Joe Murphy8 May 2009
Lord Mandelson today led senior Labour figures in blaming the press for “smearing” politicians.
The Business Secretary, whose career has been dogged by rows over his personal finances, claimed that revelations in the Daily Telegraph today “besmirched” parliamentarians by portraying innocent claims for necessary expenses as greed.
He said: “When you see something like this in a paper like the Telegraph you can react with sort of boiling anger at the attempt to smear or traduce half the Cabinet, and you should rail at what motivates a Tory-supporting paper to mount an operation like this.
“Or you take it more philosophically, you accept that this is what passes for modern journalism — you don't allow yourself to be diverted from it as a minister and you get on with your day job, and that's what I intend to do.”
Lord Mandelson claimed there was not a “scintilla of evidence” to show any Cabinet ministers had done anything wrong. He added: “They are besmirching politicians.”
Former home secretary Charles Clarke accused the newspaper of using “stolen information to attack and discredit Parliament”. However, freedom of information campaigners pointed out that many details would never have come to light had the Telegraph not obtained the unedited files.
Among the issues that would have been kept secret were the payments totalling £6,577 from Gordon Brown to his brother Andrew for a cleaner.
The leaked records show that Andrew Brown's name was to have been blacked out in the officially published version, concealing the financial relationship from the public.
Sir Stuart Bell, who sits on the House of Commons Commission, called the newspaper's revelations chequebook journalism. He said: “It undermines the very basis of our democracy and is against all the rules of fair play, and rewards thieves or leakers.”
He continued: “If this was received by unauthorised means, it is disgraceful that a national newspaper should stoop so low as to buy information which will be in the public domain in July.” The Telegraph refused to discuss its source but The Times recently confirmed that it was offered computer discs containing scanned receipts and full expenses records over five years for £300,000.
Several media organisations appear to have rejected the disc but it is likely to have been the source of the recent revelations about Jacqui Smith claiming for her husband's television viewing, which included adult movies.
Suspicions at Westminster are that an individual at an outside company employed by the Commons to process the receipts took the opportunity to make an illicit copy. Andrew Porter, the Telegraph's political editor, insisted: “There's an element to this that is most definitely in the public interest.”
He was backed by the Taxpayers Alliance pressure group which said the revelations were important and illuminating.
The Times account said the discs were being hawked by a City-based businessman. It added: “When he made clear that he was expecting money, The Times turned down the offer.”
Reader views (17)
Thats right--shoot the messenger for the bad news. The politicians are POND SCUM. No apology and no accountability.
- Ruckus (Ex Pat), Myrtle Beach USA, 10/05/2009 07:49
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What else would you expect the government propaganda minister to say - the truth!
This looks like natural justice to me - the politicians are finally exposed; not far enough though.
Next we need the MEP's and Peers' expenses exposed, then MP's,Peers' and MEP's relationships to businesses with whom they later find employment or subsequently consult or lobby.
They should not be allowed perks at work such as subsidised food and drink, nor special smoking areas etc.
They should only get 1 month annual holiday and their pensions linked to private sector pensions.
Special hostels
- Kris, London, 09/05/2009 14:51
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Lord Meddlesome Mandelson doth protest too much methinks. This abuse of the expenses by MPs should stop. In a recession when others are loosing their jobs, or having to rain in fiscal expenditure. It surely would not be too much for our elected Parliamentarians to show restraint and leadership for a few years at least. But no, they treat the Public like were all fools, and they will continue to vote themselves fat salaries and expenses.
Its hardly wonder MPs are regarded with the same contempt as greedy 'Fat Cats' along with Bankers and 'Yumin Rites' lawyers.
The solutions are in their own hands for goodness sake. Unless they are emulating the corrupt practices of their colleagues in the Euro-land with that bunch of toss-pots.
The sooner there is a General Eelction called, the sooner we can clear the decks and get rid of this bunch of toss-pots in New Labour who are ruining the country.
Damn them all to buggery!!
- Uncle Vanya, East Anglia area UK, 09/05/2009 00:09
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Well he would darling , wouldn't he ?
- Chris M, morbihan,france, 08/05/2009 23:05
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Meddlesome reacted with 'sort of boiling anger' did he? Well we are INCANDESCENT WITH RAGE at you scummy politicians! YOU smeared yourselves with your unprincipled, unacceptable and disgustingly nauseous behavior. Who are YOU to tell US what is right??? You are supposed to be our servants, but you're simply not up to the job.
You need to feel our HEAT Meddlesome, so that you can see the searing light.
- Ralph, London GB, 08/05/2009 17:17
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I have a few useful phrases to use when officious officials come for me: "My accounting has always been poor"; "It's nothing to do with me, it's the system"; "There isn't a scintilla of evidence against me, I've been besmirched"...I'm sure a few more juicy excuses will come to light from the foaming-at-the-mouth-to-have-been found-out liars and cheats we have in government. Thank you 'Daily Telegraph'! You have done us a massive service. Now we know for sure what rubbish we have running the country.
- Judith C, London, England, 08/05/2009 17:16
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Nothing is illegal in our treasured isle if it makes a lot of dosh - being an MP hiding expenses, being a banker getting tax-payer money and still taking a bonus (not to mention the creative accounts), being a new lord on the make, you name it. All above the law, none of them will get more than a smacked wrist. But Joe Public? Well, he'd get the whole lot thrown at him if he tried to act like an MP or a Lord - our representatives from Planet Greed - or the bankers - the usurers of the universe. Time for them all to get the chop. Take to the streets, Joe, like the French! It's worth being thrown in the slammer, asking for a fairer Britain. Isn't it?
- John Problem, Hackney Wick, London, UK, 08/05/2009 15:39
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So it's OK for Mandelson and Co to use Government money to pay/bribe company employees of Swiss Banks to leak and 'obtain' detailed bank statements of individuals who are 'suspected' of stashing cash beyond the grasping hands of Brown and his 'fiddlers'. But MPs soon change their tune when such methods are used to expose their own financial irregularities to the general public. No doubt there will be more revelations over the coming weeks which can only help to consign the whole rotten Labour party to the political dustbin for the next 20 years.
- Pete, South of England, 08/05/2009 15:28
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Oh dear, when the old clucking hen gets her knickers in a twist and starts spinning you know it must be serious!!
- Margy, London, 08/05/2009 14:35
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Scum all of them, well done to the press for exposing them for what they really are.
- Mike, London England, 08/05/2009 14:21
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The Telegraph has done us one huge favour as these MPs were being allowed to "edit" their expenses claims and therefore we would have been presented with a very severely trimmed down list.
- R.F., Yorks, UK, 08/05/2009 14:09
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All Limited Companies must comply with draconian laws regarding busness travel by car, train and air, Car travel is not allowed to and from the office, all miles must be logged, subsistence and entertaining correctly logged, minimum allowance for gas, electric, cleaning if working from a home office, NI paid as Employer and Employee, even for a one-man business. Given that our Taxes are funding our MP's lifestyle, why should we have to operate one way to supply all the money whilst they fritter it away unrecorded?
It truly is iniquitous,no wonder our children have few role models to follow.
- Cromwell, woking, surrey, 08/05/2009 12:34
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These are the people that parrot out the mantra 'Nothing to hide, Nothing to fear' about the encroachment of the state into ordinary peoples lives, but now claim that all these 'legal' expenses should be secret, and are then surprised that the public are outraged.
- Jim, London, 08/05/2009 11:34
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Why don't they stop whinging and trying to pass the buck?
They have been caught with their fingers in the till and should face the consequences.
Disgusting bunch of spineless cowards.
- Margy, London, 08/05/2009 10:51
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How dare MPs have the gaul to denounce what they see as a form of media corruption. The only corruption apparent here is that of the MPs themselves clearly caught with their hands in the till.
Oh silly me, they are all acting within the rules and are doing nothing wrong! These people have long lost sight of what is right or wrong. The only right being anything they will profit from. Clear the lot of them out. They are out of touch with the real world and certainly that of the voting public. If it wasn't for the press we the tax paying public would be none the wiser and I hope that a war is waged on these shameful people who would like us to believe that they have our interests at heart. What a load of codswallop! The arrogance of these MPs beggars belief.
- Goggs, London, 08/05/2009 10:46
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IT IS MP's WHO HAVE "UNDERMINED BASIS OF DEMOCRACY".
EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE POLICE - JUST LIKE JOE PUBLIC WOULD BE IF THEY CLAIMED SOMETHING THEY WERE NOT FULLY ENTITLED TO.
IT STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 08/05/2009 10:41
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I think the Telegraph has performed a great public service and they should be commended.
- St, London, 08/05/2009 10:33
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