Tomo is dead on, why move, why cost us more?, why - because they can and thats what torys do, stuff as much money in their shirt as they can and laugh at us.

I do not call this irony.

David - Do you think they should claim, just because they can?

   Apologise for what?

As the article states

"The committee said the arrangement "unequivocally" broke rules, introduced in 2006, which prevented MPs claiming for rent on properties that were owned by their families"

So do you want to explain why i should be apologising to Boss Hogg and his wife?

   Perhaps now all these comments about the Wintertons thieving off the rest of us will dry up.

The facts remain: all non-London MPs have to have a home near Westminster - and that's not cheap. It's an essential expense and it's the employer's duty (you and me) to pay it. It's not thieving to claim your rights.

This particular rule that they broke may be a bit unnecessary (and in this case, expensive for us). The rule about not employing family members is wise because we can't tell whether that person is really working. However when it comes to renting a flat, there is no doubt that the flat is in use and it is easy to get an independent valuation. So there was no basis for the criticism and now that has been confirmed by the change.

Perhaps some of the critics will be apologising (?!)

David Budgett, Henbury

   Thats poetic justice, init

   Did it not occurred to them to simply stop renting their own house off themselves and charging us for the privilege?