Watchdog warns MPs may not have resolved expenses issue

The proposed changes to the way MPs claim expenses may fail to allay public concern about misconduct, Whitehall's standards watchdog has warned. Sir Christopher Kelly, the chairman of the committee on standards in public life, said that although his committee welcomed many of the proposals, they "do not address every aspect of the [expenses] arrangements which have been questioned over the last few months". In a letter to the Commons Speaker, Michael Martin, Kelly went on: "My committee will therefore want to continue to monitor the position carefully to see whether there are in practice continuing public concerns or clear and obvious deficiencies in the new arrangements or in their implementation." Martin chairs the members estimate committee, which last week published detailed plans to change the way MPs receive expenses.... [read full story]