THE House of Commons' legal challenge to the publication of MPs' expenses suggests they have something to hide, Westminster's anti-sleaze chief said yesterday.
Sir Christopher Kelly, chairman of the committee on standards in public life, described the appeal to the High Court as "unfortunate".
He also said he had raised concerns with Michael Martin, the Speaker, about the lack of independent input int
o a review by MPs of their own expenses.
The committee is threatening to conduct its own inquiry if it is not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review headed by Mr Martin.
Asked if the Speaker understood public concerns over the controversial parliamentary allowances regime, Sir Christopher said: "I have no reason to think otherwise.
"The decision to appeal against the disclosure of expenses was unfortunate, because it does suggest there is something to hide."
The Commons authorities faced criticism, including from MPs, when they launched the appeal against a freedom of information ruling last month. It is expected to cost the taxpayer more than £100,000.
On the review by the Commons members' estimate committee, Sir Christopher said he could think of no similar example of "self-interested" individuals overhauling their own allowances.
He added: "Asking parliamentarians to review their own system of pay and allowances without independent input is a difficult thing to do. That will undoubtedly affect the credibility of whatever they come up with."
The full article contains 241 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
