Brown says 'sorry' over expenses
Updated on 11 May 2009
Gordon Brown today offered a public apology on behalf of MPs of all parties as the row over parliamentary allowances continued to engulf Westminster.
The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has apologised on behalf of politicians of all parties for the scandal over MPs' expenses.
He said it was essential to rebuild the public's trust in the politicians following the expenses leak. Speaking at the Royal College of Nursing's annual conference he said -
"I want to apologise on behalf of politicians on behalf of all parties for what has happened in the events of the last few days.
"We must show that, where mistakes have been made and errors have been discovered, where wrongs have to be righted, that that is done so immediately."
After three days of focusing on the claims of Labour MPs and ministers, the Daily Telegraph today turned the spotlight onto the Conservatives.
Among the reported claims it highlights that -
The shadow schools secretary, Michael Gove, and the shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, are accused of "flipping" - switching the designation of their second home between their London and constituency addresses with the effect of increasing the allowances available for renovation and furnishing.
Oliver Letwin, the chairman of the party's policy team, used taxpayer cash to fix a leak under his tennis court.
And David Willetts, the shadow skills secretary, claimed the cost of replacing light bulbs at his second home in west London.
The Conservative leader, David Cameron, said it was a bad day for parliament and the Conservative party.
Interview: Liam Fox
Samira Ahmed interviews the Conservative shadow defence secretary, Liam Fox about the expense row.
