The Committee for Standards in Public Life today published a set of principles which it believes should be followed in the review of MPs' allowances currently being carried out by Parliament.
The Chairman of the Committee, Sir Christopher Kelly said
"Recent events concerning the current allowances regime for MPs have been damaging to public trust in Parliament and a fundamental review of allowances is required. The Members Estimate Committee has been asked to carry out a "root and branch" review, and this is what my Committee would like to see done.
My Committee takes the view that the arrangements for MPs in regard to their remuneration and reimbursement of expenses should meet the highest standards of transparency, probity and accountability. We have therefore drawn up these principles as a statement of observed best practice from other sectors of the United Kingdom. It is essential that our elected representatives are seen to lead by example.
The Committee has publicly welcomed the recognition by the Members' Estimate Committee that one of the key requirements of any new system resulting from the current review is that it should command public respect. If the outcome of the current review fails to command public confidence then the Committee is prepared to undertake its own independent review of the issues involved."