Lynne lifts the lid on MP expenses (From Haringey Independent)

Lynne lifts the lid on MP expenses

8:30am Wednesday 30th July 2008

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The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has voluntarily published a full list of her expenses to let voters know she has "nothing to hide".

Last Friday Lynne Featherstone revealed the parliamentary expenses she racks up while representing her constituency. The bill covers the first quarter of the financial year from April 2008 to July 2008.

Ms Featherstone said: "I want to show people how I spend their money and that I have nothing to hide. It is vital if politicians want to restore trust, they must be open and accountable."

In the last four months, the Liberal Democrat MP spent £29,942.75 which covers basic costs, rent and staff — including interns.

She spent £289.45 on telephone bills and £377.37 on stationery. Nothing at all was spent on travel costs.

Ms Featherstone lifted the lid on her expenses in the same week the committee on standards in public life revealed that a review of MPs’ pay and allowances will be delayed until next year.

It wants to see if the reforms to bolster audit procedures, passed by MPs earlier this month, will restore public confidence that taxpayers' money is being used fairly.

Chairman of the committee, Sir Christopher Kelly, praised the more rigorous checks as an "important step" towards greater accountability.

He added: "We have decided to take a pragmatic approach and defer a decision about whether to launch an inquiry until next year. Whether we do begin an inquiry, and whether it takes the form of a relatively simple stock take or a more in-depth review, will depend on developments over the next 12 months or so."

Ms Featherstone blasted the system that allows MPs to vote on their own salaries and allowances as "completely improper" and said she would continue to fight for them to be set by an independent body.

As a London MP, Ms Featherstone can not claim Additional Expenses Allowance, known as the "John Lewis List", which allows MPs who live outside the capital to claim money back on household appliances, the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms and even dry cleaning.

However, as a London MP, Ms Featherstone does receive a London supplement of just under £3,000 per year.

Tottenham MP David Lammy said he would continue to publish his expenses at the end of the financial year in line with other MPs.

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