Why are MPs being so reluctant to explain their expenses?

[AMAZINWOMAN]

Every part of the government is accountable, and is available for inspection. Most details are alo available under the freedom of information act.

Then why are MPs so reluctant to explain or show their expenses?

I smell a rat....

because if you accept that MP's are underpaid then they use 'expenses' to supplement their incomes - then they aren't going to hold up to scrutiny.

Personally I'm happy as I think MP's are underpaid.

Remember you get what you pay for - if you want good people you have to pay. Pay peanuts get monkeys....

Tend to agree with you fym. I reckon that there are some seriously unintended consequences of the FoI Act. It's ok if the legislation clamps down on blatant excess, but I think all this evil digging around and scrutinising retrospective taxi receipts is a bit unseemly. Why can't journalists focus/campaign against real injustices and waste in public sector spending rather than this petty stuff?

You think about the job for a mo - you are expecting these people to run the country and the pay is £61,820. They could be 'sacked' every 4 years...

If you want to be 'strict' about expenses then they need a base salary of at least £100k....