SNOUTS IN THE TROUGH

STORM OVER MPS VOTE TO CARRY ON CLAIMING LAVISH EXPENSES Cabinet ministers were among MPs who last night defied public anger and voted to carry on squandering taxpayers' cash on furniture and home improvements. They rejected moves to tighten the rules on their generous expenses in a Commons vote which sparked astonishing scenes of recrimination. One Labour MP allegedly told David Cameron to '**** off' for forcing his top team to back the overhaul, while Shadow Chancellor George Osborne was involved in a stand-up row with one of the Prime Minister's aides. Gordon Brown came under fire for ducking the vote, which came hours after MPs pegged their annual pay rise to 2.25 per cent. He was also criticised for failing to swing his Cabinet, whose members have a basic salary of £138,000, behind the expenses clean-up. Home Secretary... [read full story]