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Politicians reject Kelly's plan to investigate misconduct complaints
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor05.11.09
MPs rejected a key part of Sir Christopher Kelly's clean-up of Parliament today by moving to curb investigations into their misconduct.
The sleaze watchdog said yesterday that it should be easier for the public to trigger investigations into MPs without submitting a formal complaint.
But the Commons standards and privileges committee ruled today that only in "exceptional circumstances" should the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner investigate allegations.
The committee also cleared Tory frontbencher Alan Duncan of abusing his expenses to pay for a mortgage on his second home. The shadow prisons minister was not guilty of misusing taxpayers' money because he followed Commons rules, the committee said.
The MPs - and Standards Commissioner John Lyon - were scathing of Labour MP John Mann for demanding an inquiry into Mr Duncan without submitting a formal complaint.
The committee ruled: "Investigations of this kind cost public money.
"We will agree to the Commissioner investigating allegations against members in the absence of a formal complaint only in exceptional circumstances."
The MPs' verdict contrasts with Sir Christopher's report yesterday, which listed reforms to repair damage from the expenses scandal. His Committee on Standards in Public Life called for at least two lay members to join the standards committee and said: "The Standards Commissioner should be able to conduct investigations without waiting for a formal complaint."
A minister became the first to publicly hit out at Sir Christopher's conclusions today. Work and Pensions Minister Helen Goodman said his reforms could hit prospective MPs with families.
"We seem to have been looking at the expenses first and the consequences for who can and cannot aff ord to be a parliamentarian fall out of that," she told BBC Radio4's Today programme.
Wives of MPs are to go to the High Court to fight a ban on being employed by their husbands. Many are furious that the Sir Christopher recommended banning MPs from employing relatives. About 20 met a lawyer from the Unite union last night.
Reader views (8)
Sir Christopher Kelly's clean-up reminds me of the Task of Hercules to clean out the Augean stables. Perhaps Sir Chris could divert the Thames to wash the **** out of the House of Commons ?.
- Frank, Bristol UK
"Investigations of this kind cost public money".
Parasite MP's are burying their long smelly snouts in the obscene expenses trough to the tune of nearly £100,000,000.00pa - AND THAT IS PUBLIC MONEY,
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
Politicians still havent got the message, they fail to realise the extent of disgust regarding their behaviour. the same defense is trotted out..it wasnt their fault; it was the rules that allowed them to do it.
To complain about the Kelly report shows how out of touch they are. Its not just that they are thieves and bandits, but that they have done imeasurable harm to the trust that is supposed to exist between politicians and their voters. It has allowed bigoted right wing parties to grow, because after all we cant trust the politicians we have.
If i did half of what some politicians have been accused of I am fairly certain it would result in a court case, why dont the same rules apply to them!!!
- Chris Davies, Portsmouth
what can one expect from MP's - they were caught with their snouts in the trough and have no wish to be treated like all other employees when it comes to value for money expenses and salaries. Now the Eu treaty is going ahead theere is no requirement for the majority of them . Sack the lot now and save taxpayers money.
- Jeff Harvey, Bristol
They are still not listening, these fools have spent more time since an 80 plus days summer break, fretting almost exclusively about how the demanded reforms of how parliament is run correctly and legally than ensuring our brave troops are getting all the correct equipment to do the tasks they have been called upon to perform.
There is building up a head of pressure where UKIP and the BNP are likely to be very much more powerful force than these clowns in parliament seem to realise.
Very few of today's MP's are trusted outside the Whitehall village, so if they think they can just walk into directorships once thrown out, the public may well start to show their ongoing disapproval of dishonesty unpunished that they encourage boycotts of any companies employing such useless ex-MP's. ( One of the bonuses of the internet information channels.)
They would be very well advised to shut up and do what they where elected to do, not just continuing with the same old cons.
Sir Christopher Kelly has far more support than any of the 600plus MP's and they would do well to realise that fact.
The gravy train is arriving at it's last destination for a lot of MP's.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK
Gosh there is a surprise. Everyone should remember that MPs can be prosecuted for fraud, and if the met and CPS will not, then private indivudals or groups can!!
I think the courts are going to be very busy next year!!!
- Very Very Angry At Paying Tax For Mp'S Expeses, Home Counties
Surprise,surprise;"honourable" members of this disgraceful parliament have rejected the more stringent
checks into their digusting behavior in milking the
normal taxpayer of more and more money to feed their
massive vanities and pockets.
In the past,I have voted in elections in the misguided
thought that M.P's actually did care what happened in
this country.
I now know that most,if not all,realise they may as well
do as little as possible for their supporters--they have
no power in deciding anything anymore as all thoughts
and actions are now even more controlled from Brussels.
What a disgrace they are and how sad that this country
has now become neutered in matters of importance to the
people who live here.
There should be a maximum of 250 M.P.s as the rest are
merely superfluous.There should also be a maximum of 100
upper house members--all elected.
I dearly wish I could become one of the "lay" members
of the panel to be picked--although no doubt my present
views would make me too hard on the "poor" M.P.s.
Hopefully the people picked will make a difference to
the panel and not be swayed by political pressure.
Hope indeed!!!
- David Williams, bozeat,northants,england
Why do we need that mainly self seeking, dishonorable lot in both houses at Westminster. Broon has signed away their ability to make and enforce laws not approved by the EC. Think of all the money we could save,and all for the loss of less jobs than HSBC!
- Iain, Buxton, Derbys
