MPs plan to use Human Rights laws to block publication of expenses

MPs plan to use Human Rights laws to block publication of expenses

MPs plan to use European human rights laws in a last-ditch bid to block the publication of their controversial expenses.

The idea was among the tactics discussed by members of the Commons administration committee at a meeting behind closed doors last week.

It comes amid fears that MPs could face a major backlash if plans to release full details of their housing expenses go ahead in the autumn.

Sources on the committee say they are furious about the handling of the affair by Commons authorities, who have agreed to publish MPs’ second home claims – as well as their addresses and phone numbers.But freedom of information campaigners last night condemned the latest move in the three-year battle to expose MPs’ expenses.

MPs: Hiding our expenses is a 'human right' (Sunday Express, 25 May 2008)