An interesting FOI revelation

Paul Waugh in The Standard reveals that:

"Harriet Harman gagged the independent auditor of MPs' expenses to prevent further embarrassment over rejected claims, it emerged today.

The Commons Leader persuaded Sir Thomas Legg not to publish any references to expenses claims that were turned down by the Commons Fees Office.

Sir Thomas, whose damning report this month ordered more than 300 MPs to repay a total of £1.3 million, even wanted to publicise claims that were rejected by the discredited system of allowances.

But Freedom of Information documents show that Ms Harman, who is also Labour's deputy leader, queried whether such a move would be “appropriate” and suggested only claims that were wrongly approved should be made public.

The exchange happened when Ms Harman met Sir Thomas for a private meeting last July soon after he was appointed by Gordon Brown to probe the expenses scandal."

Read the whole piece and wonder at the audacity and lack of respect for the public that is so often exhibited by this Labour government. Then revel in the final line:

"Ms Harman's spokesman said: “She fully supports the review of past expenses to ensure that any sums overclaimed are identified and paid back.”"

Once again a spokesman seemingly deliberately misunderstands the proble.