Brown bottles out as MPs face sleaze inquiry
GORDON Brown was last night accused of “bottling it” over the failed attempt to curb the taxpayer-funded £89million bill for MPs’ expenses
He was not at the crunch vote on Thursday – preferring to prepare for his trip to the G8 summit in Japan tomorrow – after Labour whips warned the reforms faced defeat.[>
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But the expenses gravy train was dealt a blow yesterday when a Westminster sleaze watchdog indicated that an investigation may be launched into the system.[>
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Sources close to Sir Christopher Kelly, chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, indicated that he was ready to set up his own inquiry.[>
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Earlier this week, Sir Christopher claimed the proposals for change did not go nearly far enough to prevent abuse of taxpayers’ money.[>
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David Cameron said the Prime Minister had failed a test of leadership.[>
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“Gordon Brown had a real opportunity to show leadership and vote for change, but once again he bottled it,” he said.[>
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“His excuse that he was in a meeting is utterly feeble – particularly when his whips were herding people to wreck the reforms.” He added: “The question is where was the Prime Minister? Why was he skulking in Downing Street when he should have been voting to sort this out?”[>
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Mr Cameron added: “There is an urgent need for reform.”[>
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Mr Brown said: “I’m not happy about what happened. I am disappointed. We’ve got to look at the issue of transparency of expenses again.”[>
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Five ministers – including Home Secretary Jacqui Smith – helped vote down the reforms aimed at tightening amounts paid to maintain second homes.[>
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The vote also saved “the John Lewis list” enabling MPs to continue buying televisions, furniture and other household goods funded by taxpayers.[>
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Insiders suspect the Prime Minister may have ducked the expenses issue in return for backbenchers declining an inflation-busting salary rise.[>
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He also refused to rap aides Ian Austin and Angela Smith, who both voted against.[>
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“How individual MPs vote is a matter for them,” said the Prime Minister’s spokesman.[>