Fred Mackintosh pledges openness on parliamentary expenses

10.22.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 18th May 2007

Speaking after Labour and Tory MPs voted to stop the public knowing about their expenses Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat Westminster Candidate Fred Mackintosh has pledged that if elected he will publish his expenses to the higher open standards of the Scottish Parliament.

Fred Mackintosh said, "Members of Parliament should have had to justify their expenses to taxpayers. The attempt to ban the public from knowing the details of how taxpayers' money is being spent on their travel will rightfully anger the very people who have to foot the bill.

Former Conservative Chief Whip, David Maclean MP, has proposed a change to the law on Freedom of Information that would exempt MPs from having their expenses claims published. The Bill passed the House of Commons with the votes of Labour and Conservative MPs today.

Earlier this year, the government lost a legal battle led by Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker to require Parliament to publish the details of MPs' travel expenses claims under the law on Freedom of Information.

But in response, an unholy alliance of Conservative and Labour MPs are trying to change the law to prevent publication of their expenses.

Related Link:

Lib Dem Campaign for Freedom of Information.