Ford welcomes Government climb down on MPs expenses

3.15.00pm GMT Wed 21st Jan 2009

Alliance Leader David Ford has welcomed the news that the Government has backed down on holding a vote to stop the publication of MPs' expenses.

Earlier today, David Ford called on MPs to vote tomorrow to allow the public to see details of their expenses. Since that time, the Government has backed down and the planned vote tomorrow has been cancelled.

On 16 May last year, the High Court ruled that this information should be released under the Freedom of Information Act, it was feared that MPs were planning to vote against this disclosure.

David Ford said: "It's time that there was transparency on MPs' expenses. On 16 May last year, the High Court ruled that MPs must provide full disclosure of their expenses. MPs are duty-bound and now legally-bound to full transparency. They should not be allowed to overturn this important ruling.

"MPs should not be beyond scrutiny. Freedom of Information relates to every aspect of our society, why should it be any different for MPs?

"Politicians have to do all they can to restore the public's faith in their activities. I hope MPs will respond positively to the public's call for openness on their expenses. If not, they will greatly damage accountability and democracy in the UK."

Related Links:

[Brown backs down in expenses row]

[Background on campaign to stop MPs concealing their expenses]