Watchdog set to probe MP expenses

Sir Christopher Kelly had questioned whether the new rules went far enough The committee on standards in public life is considering its own inquiry into MPs' expenses, the BBC understands. Sources have indicated that its chairman Sir Christopher Kelly is minded to press for an inquiry. An MPs' committee carried out a five month inquiry, but their proposals were rejected in a Commons vote on Thursday. Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg says he will submit his MPs' expenses to independent spot checks, regardless of the vote. Mr Clegg said the party would work with the Institute of Chartered Accountants to draw up detailed proposals on how it would work and his frontbench team would begin publishing quarterly breakdowns of their expenses claims. 'Very damaging week' He said: "The Liberal Democrats will now implement as many of the... [read full story]