SIR – After the exposure of the MPs’ expenses scandal in 2009, followed by some standing down, others being kicked out by the voters and a handful even sent to prison, the public was promised higher standards of probity at Westminster.
However, this is not the case with the latest racket – buy to let – where dozens of MPs are renting out their formerly taxpayer-funded second London homes to other MPs while claiming rent allowance for a third home – all on expenses!
Even if this were just within the rules, in such hard economic times it is both immoral and dishonest.
Many of the MPs involved admit to employing their spouse or partner as assistant at public expense – which could take the household income to over £100,000 per annum – yet still want to make profits and potential capital gains from these properties in London while living free themselves on the public purse!
The parliamentary authorities and individual party leaders must take immediate steps to end this abuse, while politicians and Parliament have any credibility left.
D S Boyes, Rodley Lane, Leeds
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