Commons Speaker getting probed for expenses

Want a further addition to the recent media furore about MPs' declared - and more importantly undeclared - expenses? Oh, go on, then.

It turns out that now Michael Martin, speaker of the House Of Commons, is due to face a probe into his financial dealings. It's being carried out by John Lyons, the Parliamentary Commissioner For Standards, and follows the resignation of Martin's aide Mike Grannatt in February due to all sorts of journalist-misleading antics. The major irony: it's in Martin's official job description that he must 'suspend MPs who are deliberately disobedient.' Chances are he could soon be calling himself into his office for a stern dismissal from the mirror.

The other major irony? Well, that's even better. Martin, you see, is in charge of a current ongoing commons enquiry into - that's right - ministers' expenses. Kind of like Hilary Clinton leading an inquiry into how faithful senators' spouses are, or Russell Brand launching a public investigation into people so annoying you throw yourself out of the nearest window every time they appear on TV.

The main issue lies with Martin's wife, or more specifically her whopping taxi bill. Now, we've all - Westmonster included - shelled out a little too much moolah on the minicabs every now and then, but nothing to the tune of a frankly staggering £4,280. Martin maintains that the taxis were all used for "official business", which really makes one wonder where exactly that business was taking place - Aberdeen via the scenic route through Cornwall?

Written by C J Davies on 1 Apr 2008 8:40 PM. Permalink