RIGHT. So a quick apology to the House; or a swift repayment is all that’s required. It’s no wonder MPs get it in the neck – and rightly so – because of the preposterous nature of some of their expenses claims.

Let’s take someone who is self-employed and works from home. Do you think the HMRC would really wash the £680 David Cameron filed for clearing the wisteria from his home and other maintenance work? No, I thought not. Or PM Gordon Brown’s claim for dry cleaning suits for official functions? No, couldn’t even see that one getting past my bookkeeper.

Maybe it’s an issue with MPs becoming ‘professional’ and not having experienced life in the real world of the bump and grind of business life. They might possibly have a different perspective then.

…and getting away with it