Has the expenses row put MPs at risk?

The exact claims were exposed by a combination of the freedom of information act and the Daily Telegraph.

Some could face criminal charges.

Legg’s expenses inquiry could mean more pain for MPs

Many think they have been unfairly trashed for claiming their entitlement.

From the 1970s onwards MPs voted themselves pay rises by stealth.

Fearing the bad healdines a big pay rise would bring, they boosted their allowances and in most cases claimed the lot.

After petitions, demonstrations and abuse in the street the MPs responded by tightening the expenses rules.

But what has been the impact on the MPs themselves?

Alistair Darling to repay some of his expenses

A goverment whips meeting this week discussed profound concerns about MPs' wellbeing.

In particular they talked about worries that depressed Labour MPs leaving the mutual support group of fellow MPs as they go off for the summer could be at risk.

MPs who have felt like pillars of the community now feel they are seen as criminal suspects.

MPs have told Channel 4 News of being "shattered", "on the floor" and "destroyed" by the expenses saga.

One minister said he thought everyone was whispering about him when he went into the shops, and MPs say their partners and families are telling them they must give up the job.

MPs are braced for more attacks over the length of the 12-week summer break that starts on Tuesday.

On the basis of retirements already announced and the number of marginal seats up for grabs, the majority of MPs after the next general election are almost certain to be completely new to the house of commons.

The expenses saga also leaves a trail of hurt public servants, many of whom are convinced they did nothing wrong, but have lost their reputations forever.