Local MP condemned for blocking independent audit proposals?

1.11.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 8th Jul 2008

Wolverhampton South West's Labour MP Rob Marris has been attacked by the Liberal Democrats for helping to vote down proposals for auditing of auditing of all MPs' expenses.

148 Labour MPs, 21 Conservative MPs and UKIP's only MP last Thursday on last Thursday [3rd July] to vote down the proposal for an independent audit of all MPs' expenses claims. No Liberal Democrat MP voted against the audit plans.

Commenting, Colin Ross - Chair of Wolverhampton South West Liberal Democrats said: "This decision by MPs is foolish and wrong. It is a disaster for anyone who believes in cleaning up our politics and improving Parliament's reputation. The House of Commons had the chance proper auditing vote for proper auditing of everything MPs do with public money, but an unholy coalition of Labour and Conservative MPs prevented it.

"I am deeply disappointed that Rob Marris voted against allowing all MPs' allowances to be externally audited. 52 of the Liberal Labour colleagues the Liberal theLiberal Democrats and some Conservatives in voting for independent auditing. Rob Marris must tell us - why did he vote to water down the proposals?

"Rarely a week seems to pass without a story in the press about MPs apparently fiddling their finances. The vast majority of MPs are not corrupt. But so long as they resist having their expenses and allowances subject to robust, external audit, the public can be forgiven for wondering what they have got to hide."

Colin Ross, Chair of Wolverhampton South West Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement by Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg that his party is committing to unilaterally introduce proposals rejected by Parliament yesterday, including independent spot checks of the expenses of the party's MPs:

"It is good to see Liberal Democrat MPs setting an example and showing that they have nothing to fear from open, independent scrutiny of their expenses.

"I hope that the Labour and Conservative leaderships will follow Nick Clegg's lead in implementing these measures, and we can begin to restore public confidence in politicians."