Dorset MPs outraged by expenses ‘privilege’ idea (From Bournemouth Echo)

Dorset MPs outraged by expenses ‘privilege’ idea

8:00am Monday 8th February 2010 in

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THE prospect of MPs using the ancient law of Parliamentary privilege to avoid court proceedings over their expense claims has been slammed by local politicians.

Liberal Democrat MP Annette Brooke said it would look like MPs were above the law, while Tory Desmond Swayne said the public would think they were “protecting their own.”

It was announced last week that Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David Chaytor and Jim Devine, and Tory peer Lord Hanningfield, were to face charges over their expense claims.

But their lawyers were quick to raise the issue of Parliamentary privilege – which traditionally protects politicians from being sued for what they do and say in the Commons.

Mrs Brooke, who represents Mid Dorset and North Poole, said: “Parliamentary privilege is about freedom of speech, this is completely different.

“How on earth do they expect the public to react to this?

“They will think MPs are above the law.

“It’s a dreadful message to send out.”

While New Forest West MP Mr Swayne said: “There’s nothing we can do to stop them trying to claim it in their defence but I would be very surprised if it works, if they got away with it.

“If they did then it would be incumbent on Parliament to change the legislation to enable them to be prosecuted. Otherwise it would just look like we are protecting them.

“We are trying to get over this expenses scandal, this is all we need.”