Spelthorne's MP voted against transparency of MPs' expenses

5.35.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 10th Apr 2009

Parliamentary spokesman Mark Chapman sees no reason why Spelthorne's MP should be claiming a second home allowance

Last year local MP David Wilshire voted against recommendations at Westminster to have MPs expenses externally audited. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman Mark Chapman is challenging the level of expenses claimed by Mr Wilshire.

The plans put forward by Lib Dem MP Nick Harvey, on behalf of the Members Estimate Committee, wanted the expenses of MPs to be audited externally. The plan was to make expenses transparent, in line with other public bodies, in order to restore faith in these allowances.

An amendment, supported by Mr Wilshire, successfully made sure that the audits were kept in-house.

Spelthorne Lib Dem Parliamentary Campaigner Mark Chapman said "The public have lost faith in MPs and believe that Parliamentary expenses are an excuse for them to line their pockets. Having their local MP vote to keep out external auditors doesn't help. He already sets a bad example by claiming a second home allowance year on year, despite having easy access to Parliament from his constituency. It's no wonder the public are so outraged by all these revelations."

• All Lib Dem MPs present voted in favour of external audit.

• No Lib Dem MPs in Greater London claimed a second home allowance in latest figures