• Blears left in the cold as Prime Minister defends Hoon and Purnell on tax
• Three ministers face the sack in reshuffle
• ‘We will vote for a Speaker they hate’

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a bonfire of vanities, vain glory and shameless moral and fiscal abuse. long and fierce may it burn.

- M.O'Brien, london.uk

These jokers still don't get it.
Clearly Brown needs them so he can hang on in No10 for a few more months.
We will not forget these trough gobblers who have smirked their way through media criticism hoping that things will die down and they can carry on munching at our expense.
Hoon, Blears, McNulty, Smith etc we have your number.
377 days left

- Tomfitz, loughborough

Well done, Sir Peter; sounds a very agreeable duck house and good value for the taxpayer

- Ernest Juer, Arundel

When is Gormless Frown going to start kicking out the Labour scroungers, fraudsters and reprobates that have similarly been caught swinging the lead?

David "Do Nothing" Cameron appears to be anything but...

- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland

What about MPs pensions?

- Timc, London

Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

Reading your messages you clearly have a problem with Etonians? Why? You keep mentioning them in a very bitter way.
Do you resent educated people?
Are you envious?
Did you have a good education? or not?
Or is it perhaps just boring old left wingers hanging on to whatever anti tory propaganda they can.
Please explain as Eton is still recognised worldwide as one of the best schools around and do not understand your hang ups. Next you'll be harping on about class inequalities.

And if you reply telling me you believe in equality and don't believe in elitism, then why the hell are you living in Mijas? Just another confused labour supporter no doubt.

- David H, London

For those who are a bit younger than 40 years, you may wish to buy the Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister DVD's from the 1980's which shows that Parliament and senior civil servants have changed very litle since then.

The culture of greed and claims has been ridiculed for decades and its quite scary to see how we as a nation have forgotten that this has been going on.

- Graham, Fleet

I see Brown is still hanging on to the cheats Mc Nulty and Geoff Hoon..at least cameron is acting to rid the party of some rotten apples..Brown is gutless really ..jacqui Smith and Blears are also still in post,i also think people at the fees office especilly the guy in charge should be sacked!!

- Jean, London England

Anyone seen Alistair Darling recently?? Must be keeping his head down hoping nobody asks him how the man who is responsible for collecting Stamp Duty from the rest of us apparently avoided (or should that be evaded) paying the same tax himself. If you see him, can you ask him for me (and several million other voters). Shouldn't Gordon suspend him from the Labour party?

- Malcolm, London

This is Brown showing what a coward he really is, he has been humiliated by the poison dwarf already with her 'you tube' comments, he also knows very well that the crooks around his cabinet table are all ready to stab in the back to save their own skins and their fat ministerial salaries. Hoon and Purnell have done exactly the same as Blears and in Hoon's case it's a much bigger tax avoidance. Add to these crooks the names of all the other cheats and fraudsters like Balls, Cooper, Straw, Smith, Darling, Brown, Milliband and he hasn't got much of a cabinet left. What we need is a general election so the voters can have their say on this rotten parliament and it's rotten MP's. Time to bleach the parasites!

- Ed, Hants

Well here we go again - an honest mistake. I don't think so - it's fraud, bring in the police, get rid of all the MP's now, hold by-elections, let honourable people stand who will not fall into the seduction of easy money obtained by deception or just plain greed. I cannot believe how many MPs have the nerve to say they abide by the rules when they have cheated lied and pocketed money with a sly grin at our expense - "burning down the house" sang Mr Byrne - I wish!

- Richard Cooper, Hitchin Herts

The irregularities uncovered by the Telegraph are ALL pretty distasteful.

However, there is a difference in my mind between taking advantage of the system ie claiming for 'duck islands' etc and claiming for interest on non existent mortgages.

Surely the latter is fraud and should be prosecuted?

- Jjh, Stratford on Avon UK

Our politicians need to get all their ducks in a row.

- David, london

Brown seems to have completely lost the plot. Blears does the same as Purnell and Hoon, but somehow her behavior is worse than theirs??? GB is simply playing his last throw of the dice. He knows there will be a leadership challenge after the June elections and he's simply trying to keep people on side who can make him look even more foolish than he already is if they choose to.I'm going down the bookies in the minute. Late July/early August for a general election. At the current rate If he waits until next year the labour party will have has many seats left as the hideous BNP are likely to gain. Sorry GB, i know you've wanted this job since you were 6 apparently, but whilst you may not be capable of rationale thought at any age the electorate by and large is. Go now, you don't have a cat in hells chance of gaining anything except our derision.

- David S., Ealing

Perhaps, while "Ducky" is saying all of this, he might like to get shot of cash toting Ashcroft - a prime example of a total greaseball with double lives (Belize and UK), and a penchant for buying his way into British politics. I don't like how he cosies up to the great and the good with a chequebook. Why on earth does a party claiming the moral high ground think this is right?

I hope the pack of Philistines splutter on their champagne fizz at the Queen's garden party. The MPs will probably be busy pocketing the queenly hors d'oeuvres or snaffling the cucumber sandwiches away into a nosebag. More like turkies instead of ducks.

- Damian Ducky, London

Val! You're back. Still convinced you're a media student writing in character. And what a funny character it is. And a new twist, your from that famous working class area known as Gosport. Brilliant twist. Two things: if labour MPs have claimed zero or next to it as you say it's probably because they're London MPs (we have quite a few, but not for long) and even they don't have the front to charge the mortgage on their parents house or even a sister's spare bedroom. Second point: Peter Viggers has stepped down so he won't be repeating his last two wins will he? Never mind keep it up. Can't wait to read what you think next.

- Sean, London

Viggars has sold the house in question, and is moving to France, so he probably wouldn't be standing anyway.

Steen in a Radio interview said

Mr Steen said the negative reaction to his expense claim for the felling of trees was down to “jealousy”, and added that the details of his expenses should never have been published.

He said, “I think I behaved impeccably”, and added that the reaction to his claim was down to jealousy, because, “I’ve got a very very large house. It’s not particularly attractive...it does me nicely”.

He went on to blame the “wretched government” for introducing the system, and said the details of his expenses should never have been published adding “what right does the public have to interfere with my private life? None”.

He added “I don’t what the fuss is about” and said that the decision made by him alone, “I had no pressure at all from the party leader. On the contrary, he was quite surprised. The pressure came from the constituents”.


So Cameron hasn't actually punished anyone, its all PR

- David, exeter uk

#Chris, Rochester

I'm sure you also saw on the BBC Lunchtime News, a tax booklet which was obtained by BBC Newsnight from HMRC, detailing the tax ruling on MPs second home allowances, and the Capital Gains Tax liability thereon. MPs are able to determine which house they use for CGT, so neither Mr Hoone, nor Mr Purnell have broken either the law or the rules. Indeed, both had already paid all the taxes due on their property. For your further information, I seem to recall it was Mr Wiggins, a Conservative MP, and another close friend of Mr Cameron's, who was named in the DT this morning for having claimed tax relief over several years for a non-existent mortgage. David Cameron has since said of his Eton chum, 'oh, he made a mistake'. Well that's all right then. The two other Labour MPs alleged to have made false and their claims are currently under investigated. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Mr Mackay, who merely lost his job as aide to David Cameron, but has not been either sacked or suspended from the Conservative party; neither has his wife, Julie Kirkbride, who is equally guilty. You really must make sure you speak from an informed position on these matters. You appear to be somewhat behind the curve.

- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

I see in typical labour fashion you spin and twist my words.

Can you please name 3 labour MPs who have said they will step down at the next election? I am not talking about being suspended or having the whip withdrawn, but actually stating that they are prepared to step down and leave politics. So far 3 tories have done this, 1 liberal and 0 labour MPs.

Can you please comment on the FACT that out of the top 20 troughers, 2 are liberal, 2 are tory and the rest labour. I am not a pedant but choose to say things as they are rather than spin and twist the truth which seems to be your approach. Liam Byrne is the all out winner at troughing claiming £478,000 in just 3 years.

Incidentally, I am not playing games (as you seem to think), but just quoting facts (which you clearly do not like). Is the sun getting to you in tacky old Mijas costa?

And if you are such an ardent labour supporter why do you choose to live abroad and bang your drum from the costa del crime? Or are you perhaps another socialist with 2 homes? (equal distribution of wealth and all that??). Perhaps you are a friend of Margaret "4 houses" Moran MP (labour of course)? Duplicitous behaviour. It beggars belief. You lot just don't get it and have very selective and biased memories.

- Tom W, London

#Tom, London

3 Labour MPs have been suspended and had the Whip withdrawn. As you are such a pedant, you may be interested to know that the Daily Telegraph has printed details of those MPs who claimed zero, or the least amount in expenses: 16 were Labour, 9 were Conservatives, and 6 were Lib Dems. We can all play silly games but I tend to think this is rather more important than he said, she said. I do recall a comment made some years ago about the Conservative policy on ageing, which seems pertinent now. What you might care to remember is that despite the Labour party's landslide in 1997, Peter Viggers still retained his seat for the Tories; he has continued to do so in the two elections since then. I wonder if the same will be true next time.

- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

Read Moran on the Internet to learn how creatively the
Office Administration Expenses have been used.

- P Doff, audierne france

At least Cameron is doing something about it and is being seen to be doing something about it. Where is Brown? Waiting for the end of 4 June? Muttering Burn Baby Burn to himself

- Jilly, London

So the labour party is suspending MPs, not making excuses. Val, Spain

Yeah right dream on. Only this morning gordo made excuses for James Purnell and Geoff Hoon after they have been found out EVADING TAX.
While I don't agree with the duck house, at least this MP claimed for something he bought rather than the numerous labour MPs claiming for mortgages which dont exist. Does gordo not know the definition of FRAUD.

- Chris, Rochester

Why does no-one mention Blair in all of this?, he paved the way for all this mess including a needless War and got out just in time for Gordon to take the wrap?

- Dc, Ealing, London

Isn't that hypocritical of Cameron? After all,he's worth millions and decided to claim for having his wisteria cleared. Didn't Cameron also claim additional costs for his home in Oxfordshire - mortgage interest repayments? Doesn't his salary cover this? He's like a psycho who believes his own arguments. Scary.

Furthermore, Cameron did not deal with the problem of expenses, since it's been going on for years, and I'm sick of MPs saying how the system has to change, as if it's been terrible for them. If they wanted to change it and it was so painful to them, then why wasn't it done years ago? Because they were trousering our money, that's why.

It's not just about the amount the MPs claim for, it's about the totally shameless way it's done. They are all accusing each other, when really they are all as bad as each other.

We are doomed with Labour in power and stuck with unbelievably rich, disingenuous psychos if the Conservatives get in. I don't know which is worse. Neither three parties get my vote.

- Jenna, London, London

Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

No labour MPs have agreed to step down yet 3 tories have, so I'm not quite sure what you're prattling on about other than trying to spin.

Out of the top 20 troughers, 2 are tories, 2 are liberal and the rest labour. Jackie Smith alone has claimed £434k expenses in 3 years. She should go, as should Blears, Hoon, Mcnulty and all the other troughers. These people are front benchers and it is unacceptable that they are still in office.

- Tom W, London

Melvyn Windbag - are you a nulabour plant? The crimes of the nulabour front benchers (Blairs, Hoon, McNulty, Smith etc) are a lot worse than the crimes of the tories, so why are you spinning (or trying to)? Perhaps you are just trying to be funny - I'm not quite sure.

- Margy, London

Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex - are you really that daft!!! Until Gordon Brown has the courage (ha ha) to call an election, there's absolutley no reason why Cameron should publish his manifesto. No party publishes their "final manifesto" (as you suggest) until an election date is actually set - don't be so politically naieve. If you want to see what the conservative policies would be you just have to go to their website

- Malcolm, London

What does Blears have on Brown?
What does McNulty have on Brown?
What does Smith have on Brown?
What does Darling have on Brown?
What does Hoon have on Brown?

I could go on and on as there are plenty more. These are labour front benchers who have seriously been troughing and abusing the expenses system. Why haven't they been sacked or mentioned their intentions to step down at the next election as the tories are doing?

Smith's expenses from 2005-08 were £434,909. With her salary (£140k a year) the grand total comes to £854,909. Not bad for 3 years work - nearly a million!

- Margy, LOndon

I actually think this is very sad and wonder if it is a sign of things to come in the Conservative party. Although I'm not a Tory supporter, Peter Viggers is my MP and I can only speak as I find. He has always been exceptionally hardworking in the constituency and, as a result, his surgeries have a long waiting list. I have sought his help on a couple of occasions and he has gone the extra mile to assist me in terms of giving me details of contacts and 'phoning me at home on his progress. He is an excellent MP and works tirelessly for Gosport and the surrounding areas. I'm sure all his constituents will be devastated by his enforced retirement. David Cameron will have done himself no favours by this and will be seen for the hypocrite he is if, after criticising the Labour Party in Erith & Thamesmead, he tries to parachute one of his Eton chums into Gosport. There will probably be a huge increase in the Lib Dem vote; the two parties are neck and neck in local elections. There appears to be an element of cherry-picking when it comes to whose transgression is the more serious; providing a shelter for ducks, or making a false claim over several years for mortgage interest relief. The Labour party is suspending MPs for this offence, not making excuses for them, even if they are 'one of us'.

- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain

No wonder Cameron is angry given how much this Duck Island tale can be played out:-

1) At PMQs when he arises he will get a chorus of quack..quack..quack (wonder if any Mps will bring in a duck caller?)

2) At least now we know Tories use duck to feather their own nests.

3) Anyone who wants Cameron as PM must be quackers.

4) At least Labour has a Brown Bear while all the tories have is Donald Duck.

Anyway another PMQs and still no proper questions from David "Donald" Cameron who if he is so keen for an election needs to say why he has not published his finalised manifesto? Surely it must be ready to go to print?

The duck story remindes me of Faulty Powers!!

- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex

Why did Screaming Lord Sutch have to die so young?

- Bj, London

Interesting that your article states Viggers was not allowed the duck island, as scribbled in the notes, not the impression given in most papers. Douglas Hogg also said he had not cleaned out his moat at taxpayers' expense. While the Tory claims are bizarre, amusing and turn out often to have been disallowed, they are relatively smaller sums.

The most reprehensible behaviour has mainly been amongst senior Labour cabinet ministers. These people HUGELY increased stamp duty and changed CGT. Yet it turns out that they have invested large sums of our money in their own private property, charged the new high level stamp duty to the taxpayer, flipped the poperty to scam more allowances for decor and fittings out the system, then declared them main homes to avoid the CGT on sale, and trousered the profit. I find that reprehensible, much worse than claiming for food or having the lawn mowed. Playing the property market with our money and avoiding taxes that cripple the rest of us is disgusting, Ms Blears, Mr Hoon and Mr Parnell.

- Tom Moncrieff, london W6

Ducks are people too!

- John, London

Not only is it Totally wrong that these MPs have put in obnoxious claims to 'feather their own nests' but that they were passed by the Commons Authority. One has to ask, If their claims for their personal expenses are so currupt,should we not also have a close look at their Office Administration Expenses as well?

- David Weller, Walpole St Andrew Norfolk

"50 MPs could be deselected"

I doubt 50% of current sitting MP's will be returned to office and it would take a brave person to call the result of any election given many will simply not see the point of voting

It would be a safe bet that Brown will never be elected PM, he has no leadership qualities worthy of note, I still question his so called financial skills when he was chancellor, many claimed he was great, hindsight suggests lucky and his failings has made this country suffer more than most, the sooner he is history the better

- Gary, Brentwood

Another pig with his snout in the trough of taxpayer's cash.

Joe Public still only knows 5% of what is going on in the House of Conmen and the House of Frauds.

We need a General Election NOW.

Not tomorrow. NOW.

- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK

Keep going Cameron, this is your chance to finally rid the Tory party of all the old duffers that gave it a bad name. This is your opportunity to finally get a modern compassionate and green Tory party in place.

- Richard K, Nottingham

Hear hear Tax Geek from Teddington. I agree- he's a true British eccentric. He should be lauded by Cameron and co as all that's great about Britain- a Brit with a sense of the surreal, who most probably has a very elaborate sense of humour and great fun to take down the pub. The po-facedness in all of this 'scandal' is too much to stomach- people really need to get out more if they think an MP providing shelter to a few ducks is abusing public money. It's not what I call corruption- the real spotlight needs to be put on the EU, which is riddled with corruption and thievery. And then if people also knew what went on in other countries, where literally millions of pounds float around in people's bank accounts, they'd realise we have a pretty straight lot in Britain.

- Richard, London

Cameron, sadly, is using this alleged 'scandal' to get rid of MPs who he feels are stopping 'young talent' coming forward. The disrespectful term 'bed-blockers' is the kind of term the Tory high command would use to classify such politicians, used because Cameron and co want their own hand-chosen 'modern' clique to get into Parliament. Sadly, Parliament gets degraded when seats are simply seen as the property of a party to be dished out at will to a select few. If you think this so-called 'scandal' is bad, Dave, fine- but don't start dishonestly using it to get rid of those you classify as 'bed-blockers' whilst going soft on your favoured Eton chums.

- Richard, London

I think this is wonderful - a true British eccentric. In Italy and other European countries they'd want drugs, cars, women or even houses. In the UK a dodgy claim means an inflatable house for your ducks. Somehow I really feel safer knowing this. Btw - now that we know how the last 10p on MPs expenses has been spent is there any chance of finding out how much was wasted on the Iraq war? £110,000,000,000? (that's £110bn - looks much more in numbers doesn't it). Perhaps the banks? £200,000,000,000? Tax credits (i.e. bribes to Gordon's voter chums, paid for by those of us who aren't likely to vote for him) £50,000,000,000? Oh yes, I forgot - the public aren't interested in real news only sensational headlines.

Ps - my bet is VAT on newspapers in the next budget (they're VAT-free at the moment)!!

- Tax Geek, Teddington

It's a start.
Now what does have Hazel Blears have on Brown?

- Robert, Twickenham UK

is ther now no decent people left. and why has there been no real sackings? because the corruption and self intrest is still alive and kicking . vote lib dems. so far they are the only"honorable party"

- Mikeeee, peterborough uk

"inadvertently filled in the wrong address". Sigh. Yes it IS hard when you have so many to choose from!

- Marianne, SW France/London

8 week summer breaks come around and there's no hero's to be found
There's something major's going down on Duck island, island.

Ruth Kelly's flood damage means the planets safe and sound
If someone evils coming round he should be frightened (Brown)
Cause now the boys are back in town. No expenses to hold them down down

[Chorus]

Don't be mad please, stop the hating just be glad that they'll be waiting,
Friends we have are ever changing
No not no little battle when the Conservatives are go.

- Peter Mills, 3rd world Brtain

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