Commons considers expenses appeal

The House of Commons is considering whether to launch an urgent appeal after losing its High Court battle to keep secret details of MPs' expenses.

Three senior judges have ruled that the Information Tribunal acted within its powers when it demanded that a detailed breakdown of MPs' additional costs allowances (ACA) must be provided under the Freedom of Information Act. Sir Igor Judge (President of the Queen's Bench Division), Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Blake, also ruled that the addresses of MPs' second homes should be disclosed.

In what was hailed by information seekers as "a victory for democracy", they said full disclosure was necessary because the Tribunal had concluded that the ACA system was "deeply flawed" and lacked accountability.

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