MPs fight on over expenses repayments

MPs make progress in expenses appeals

MPs make progress in expenses appeals

By politics.co.uk staff

Around a quarter of the MPs told to repay expenses claims have succeeded in reducing or wiping out auditor Sir Thomas Legg’s demands, it has been reported.

According to the BBC 19 out of the 70 MPs who appealed against Sir Thomas’ rulings have not met with outright rejection from retired judge Sir Paul Kennedy.

Last week it emerged Liberal Democrat frontbencher Jeremy Browne had escaped having to repay nearly £18,000 in mortgage interest claims.

Other expenses victors include former home secretary Charles Clarke, who will keep £750 in mortgage repayments, and Tory backbencher Roger Gale, whose £2,470 in rent and phone bills will no longer be clawed back.

Sir Thomas’ report will be published on Thursday this week, revealing the full extent of the claims made by MPs and the repayments demanded of about 200.

There are now 131 MPs stepping down at the next election.