PARTIES CHALLENGED OVER LEGG RECOMMENDATIONS

PARTIES CHALLENGED OVER LEGG RECOMMENDATIONS

DISAPPOINTMENT AS MURPHY DODGES AUDIT ANSWERS

UK Ministers and Members of Parliament were today (Wednesday) challenged to follow Scottish Parliament standards of transparency on expenses – and abide by the recommendations of Sir Thomas Legg following his audit of the additional costs allowance.

SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson MP called on Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy to set an example by publishing his own Legg recommendations, and those of his Labour colleagues.

SNP Members of Parliament have already set out the detail of recommendations by the independent auditor and will provide further information or repay claims as requested.

Mr Robertson said:

“If trust is ever to be restored in Westminster, all parties in the House of Commons must abide by the recommendations made by Sir Thomas Legg.

“Jim Murphy talks about transparency, but his credibility is undermined by his failure, and that of his Labour, Tory and Liberal colleagues, to actually set out their own Legg recommendations and say whether they will abide by them. It is extremely disappointing that he chose to dodge this question at a time when the public are looking for answers.

“The SNP always said that we would abide by the recommendations of the independent audit - and that is exactly what we will do. Where further information is requested it is being provided, and where money should be refunded it is being reimbursed.

“Times have changed – and the Labour, Tory and Lib Dem parties have got to recognise that and follow the SNP’s lead.

“And the priority now should be to put the Westminster expenses system on the same solid, open and transparent footing as that of the Scottish Parliament.”