MPs have protected their perks

Letter: Eight weeks ago we taxpayers were disgusted to read of the huge frauds being conducted routinely by most MPs.

As those few who did not commit fraud must have been aware that it was going on, we must assume that they condoned these crimes.

Therefore, the evidence indicates that all MPs consider defrauding the taxpayer is a normal practice for an MP. The Theft Act and the Fraud Act, which were both passed by MPs, allow for sentences of up to 10 years in prison.

Not one crooked MP appears to be in any danger of going to jail. But just in case this could happen, the Parliamentary Standards Bill was passed this week and limits the punishment to up to one year in prison for MPs for committing the same crimes.

Also the parliamentary "Green Book" (which sets out the rules for claiming expenses) was republished on July 13 and now gives MPs an increased entitlement of another £9,000 per year without producing receipts.

The very MPs that decided to send our gallant but ill-equipped troops to Afghanistan and fight in the courts to reduce the amount of compensation to be paid to injured servicemen, have not hesitated to increase their own perks and protect themselves from proper punishment.

Denis Allen

Wellington