An Abuse of Public Funds
The press reported recently that the House of Commons had been using public funds - to track down the 'mole' who helped expose the MPs' expenses scandal.
Apparently, £16,000 was handed over to a private intelligence firm, Deltica Limited - owned by the arms manufacturer BAE - but the investigation proved unsuccessful.
The highly paid mole hunters did not find the mole - but no doubt held onto their £16,000 fee - despite failing so miserably in their appointed task.
In my view the person who leaked the information deserved a medal - and our grateful thanks - not an investigation by the House of Commons.
Because s/he shone a light on the widespread abuse of the expenses system and - in doing so - performed a truly valuable public service.
Without that information being leaked and published by the newspapers - we would still be in the dark today - which suited MPs just fine.
We would be clueless about the floating duck ponds, phantom mortgages, dog food and whole host of other ludicrous claims - which honourable members felt entitled to bang on their expenses.
The new Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, ended the investigation - judging it not to be in the public interest, saying:
“I do not believe that one moment of public time or one penny of public money should be wasted on such a cause.”
Good for him - and hats off to the mole as well - let's hope we see their likes again.
Apparently, £16,000 was handed over to a private intelligence firm, Deltica Limited - owned by the arms manufacturer BAE - but the investigation proved unsuccessful.
The highly paid mole hunters did not find the mole - but no doubt held onto their £16,000 fee - despite failing so miserably in their appointed task.
In my view the person who leaked the information deserved a medal - and our grateful thanks - not an investigation by the House of Commons.
Because s/he shone a light on the widespread abuse of the expenses system and - in doing so - performed a truly valuable public service.
Without that information being leaked and published by the newspapers - we would still be in the dark today - which suited MPs just fine.
We would be clueless about the floating duck ponds, phantom mortgages, dog food and whole host of other ludicrous claims - which honourable members felt entitled to bang on their expenses.
The new Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, ended the investigation - judging it not to be in the public interest, saying:
“I do not believe that one moment of public time or one penny of public money should be wasted on such a cause.”
Good for him - and hats off to the mole as well - let's hope we see their likes again.
