MPs could be forced to reveal details of spouses travel expenses

MPs could be forced to reveal details of their spouses travel expenses following a victory by Freedom of Information campaigners yesterday.

The House of Commons authorities announced they were giving up High Court battle to stop a Labour MP being forced to publish the details of her and her husband's journeys.

Freedom of Information campaigners had requested to see an itemised breakdown of Labour MP Anne Moffat's travel expenses after it emerged that she had racked up a £40,000 bill in 2003.

Richard Thomas, the Information Commissioner, ruled that East Lothian MP Miss Moffat should submit her receipts for public scrutiny after finding that their release would not breach her privacy.

Commons authorities then lodged an appeal against the order for the release of the travel claims with the High Court, but last night confirmed they had abandoned the fight.

Yesterday it was revealed that MPs' expenses and allowances for last year totalled £87.6 million.

FOI victory as MP is forced to reveal spouse's £40,000 travel expenses (Daily Mail, 26 October 2007)

0 comments: