MPs have abandoned a legal fight to keep details of their expenses secret from the public.
The feud began when the Information Tribunal demanded details of MPs’ second home allowances.
Under the Freedom of Information Act, a detailed breakdown of the additional costs allowances of 14 named MPs and former MPs was requested.
The battle was then taken to the High Court by the Commons Commission who wanted the expenses kept a secret.
The MPs included Mr Brown, Conservative leader David Cameron and former Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
The Commons Members Estimates Committee says it will not appeal against a High Court ruling which has ordered a detailed breakdown of the requested claims.
The court ruled that the Information Tribunal acted within its powers when it demanded details of MPs’ second home allowances be provided. The details are to be released by Friday.
Under their “additional costs allowance” MPs can claim up to £23,000 yearly towards the cost of maintaining a second residence.
Commons Speaker Michael Martin was himself criticised when it emerged that his wife had claimed £4,139 on taxis used primarily for shopping trips.
on 19 May 2008 at 23:09
I’m not sure if this is a good thing or not actually. Its just going to annoy me when I know exactly how much of my money is spent on very important political shopping trips…
on 19 May 2008 at 23:22
As if Michael Martin’s wife spending £4,139 of taxpayers’ money on taxis wasn’t annoying enough.
on 25 May 2008 at 12:24
stop it i was trying to ignore that bit too
on 25 May 2008 at 12:26
Haha, Tony Blair nearly had the bailiffs bashing his door down for an unpaid water bill ;-)
Oh and Margaret Beckett wanted £600 for plants.