Prescott's taxpayer banquet

We've already witnessed a lot of controversy over MP's spending and allowances these last few months, and - with the introduction of a Freedom Of Information order - it looks like we're going to be seeing a lot more.

Details are seeping out further, and allowing the public a rare glimpse into a world where Tony Blair claims back the £116 for his TV licence and David Cameron gets a gratis £21,293 towards his mortgage. Most interesting of all - and a godsend for any topical quiz show gag writers - is a particular claim by one John Prescott: a £4,000 food bill.

It's obvious where Prescott's heart lies, then - he recouped a relatively measly £1,325 to put against his mortgage, so clearly is more intent on shovelling public money into the pockets of restaurant owners and supermarket suppliers than maintaining the roof over his head.

Actually, it's not been widely disclosed what exactly the 'food bill' entails - presuming that, if Prescott dialled up his local Pizza Hut for a Chicken Supreme Artery Clogger with extra grease, he may have a spot of difficulty trying to justify sticking that down on the expenses form. No problem with offsetting the phone call, one would guess - especially as his one-time boss Blair claimed £663.22 in telephone expenses for simply one month.

That's a lot of voicemail for George to get through.

Written by C J Davies on 5 Apr 2008 7:37 PM. Permalink