'Gold rush' in the Commons as MPs 'tell each other which claims will be accepted'

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:


Former staff in the Commons fees office made startling claims last night about a 'gold rush' of grasping MPs.

One described a 'tearoom chain', where an MP who managed to obtain a new item on expenses would tell colleagues, leading to a rash of the same claims.

He said there was a 'culture of collusion' between MPs and officials. No Government would dare cut expenses 'because that would mean taking money away' from MPs.

The terrace outside the House of Commons. MPs are said to be telling each other what expenses claims have been accepted - and then copying each other

The terrace outside the House of Commons. MPs are said to be telling each other which expenses claims have been accepted - leading to a rash of similar claims

The former staff also attacked the £24,000-a-year second home allowance, saying the introduction of family-friendly Commons hours in 2003 had virtually done away with the need for many MPs to have second homes.

The culture of greed was disclosed as it emerged that detectives are to interview Commons officials. They are expected to include Andrew Walker, who has run the fees office since 1997.

Police have received over 100 complaints about MPs but are thought to be concentrating on Labour's Elliot Morley and David Chaytor, who claimed thousands for 'phantom' mortgages.

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