MPs to exploit loophole in crackdown on expenses

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated:

Auditor Sir Thomas Legg

Auditor Sir Thomas Legg: Some MPs are planning to report themselves to Sir John Lyon instead

Grasping MPs are plotting to exploit a loophole in the crackdown on their expenses to avoid paying back thousands of pounds they over-claimed.

Some MPs expecting demands for repayment from auditor Sir Thomas Legg are planning to report themselves to Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Sir John Lyon so their conduct is judged by him instead.

Sir Thomas, who is keen to make MPs pay up, is sending a second wave of letters containing cash demands. But he has decided not to pursue those members facing police inquiries for fraud and MPs under investigation by Sir John.

Inquiries can take months, raising the prospect that MPs could hang on until the election then retire without paying up.

The worst that could happen to MPs found guilty by Mr Lyon is suspension from the Commons.

Several MPs have already reported themselves to Sir John over their expenses. One, Alan Duncan, was cleared.

Explaining why the Legg inquiry is avoiding those under separate investigation, a Commons source said: 'Sir Thomas is worried about double jeopardy. He doesn't want to fine someone then have the MP turn to the police or the Commissioner and say they can't be punished because they've already been done by Legg.'

One Labour MP said: 'There are some people who will try anything to avoid paying up.'

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