MON PM: Colne Valley MP Kali Mounford opens up expenses

May 18 2009 By Andrew Jackson

COLNE Valley MP Kali Mountford has opened up her expenses to scrutiny - after pressure from the Examiner.

The MP, who will be standing down at the next election, performed a U-turn after the Examiner revealed other MPs would be publishing their expenses.

Our story will be published on Tuesday.

Miss Mountford's change of heart came at the same time as the Commons Speaker Michael Martin said he wanted to tell  "the men and women of the United Kingdom'' that the Commons had let them down "very badly indeed''. He said he was "profoundly sorry''.

In an eagerly awaited Commons statement, Mr Martin said he was "profoundly sorry" for the public anger over MPs’ expenses claims.

"We all bear a heavy responsibility for the terrible damage to the reputation of this House.

"We must do everything we possibly can to regain the trust and confidence of the people."

Mr Martin said he was calling a meeting of all the party leaders to discuss proposals for reform of the system.

His statement came after a motion of no confidence in Mr Martin was tabled by Tory MP Douglas Carswell, and signed by 15 MPs from the three major parties, after Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg urged him to resign.

The Speaker refused to say whether he would be stepping down before the next general election.

The House was unusually packed and tense, with both the Prime Minister and Mr Clegg present, as Mr Martin rose to make his statement.

He said: "Please allow me to say to the men and women of the UK that we have let you down very badly indeed.

"We must all accept the blame and, to the extent that I have contributed to the situation, I am profoundly sorry.

"Now each and every Member including myself must work hard to regain your trust."

Mr Martin announced he was convening ``as a matter of urgency and within 48 hours'' a meeting between the House of Commons Commission and the Prime Minister and party leaders.

"Leaders of all parties have made announcements on what should be done.

"Some of their proposals are very similar to those put down to the House on July 3 last year by the Members’ estimates committee, which I chair.

"I want discussion to centre on the additional costs allowance and all those matters that have caused the greatest controversy and most anger with the public.

"I include in that early publication of additional costs allowance, office costs and travel material."

Mr Martin said that while the Commons awaited the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life ``we must search for agreement'' so Commons Leader Harriet Harman could bring forward resolutions to deal with the issue.

"In the meantime I do urge all Members not to submit claims for approval."

The Speaker said he had last week held a "most productive" meeting with standards watchdog Sir Christopher Kelly, who said he hoped to bring proposals forward in the autumn on MPs’ expenses and allowances.

"While we await the outcome of his work it is imperative that we continue to improve our accounts and practice in the interim and get in place measures that work and are seen to be working."

Backbench anger at the Speaker's handling of the crisis was revealed in a string of points of order.