TI-UK statement: MP Expenses' Scheme Report

Monday, 29 March 2010

Attention: open in a new window. PDFPrintE-mail

Transparency International-UK welcomes Sir Ian Kennedy’s Report on the MP Expenses’ Scheme on transparency and accountability: that are critical in restoring public confidence in Parliament.

Transparency International defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.  We believe, that, as general principles, any new MPs’ expenses scheme should minimise the risk of abuses of the system for private gain by MPs; and that the room for discretion in the scheme should be minimal because experience has shown that the greater the allowance that is made for discretion in administrative/enforcement systems, the greater the risk of corruption and abuse of the rules.      

The new rules are important but the values and culture of Parliament are even more crucial. A greater commitment is now needed. We have a called on all the major political parties to include the following three points in their election manifestos:

  1. Expel MPs from the party if they fail to adhere faithfully to the Seven Principles of Public Life known as the ‘Nolan Principles’: Selflessness, Integrity, Objectivity, Accountability, Accountability, Openness, Honesty and Leadership.
  2. Ensure that MPs providing false or misleading information on expense claims should be answerable at law for offences of fraud and false accounting under the criminal law of the UK applying to all citizens.
  3. Review the Guidelines and Rules that apply to the ‘revolving door’ – business appointments taken by Ministers and Crown Servants after leaving government office to ensure they are not tainted by suspicion of impropriety.