Local Labour MP destroying trust in politicians

In a letter to the local Lancashire Telegraph Dale Mulgrew, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman criticises Rossendale & Darwen's Labour MP Janet Anderson.

"We have learnt of two expenses scandals associated with Janet Anderson MP in the last fortnight. First we had the mileage claims, now we have the borrowing against the second mortgage.

Unfortunately, once more this highlights the flaws in the current MP's expenses system.

Before the recent media maelstrom there was an element of trust that MPs would use reasonable discretion over their expenses.

Clearly the public have had an awakening of late to the fact that for some MP's this is an opportunity to cash in on.

It is apparent that the temptation of Parliamentary privilege is too much of a well of plenty that certain individuals cannot steer clear of.

The latest revelation involving our MP indicates a complete detachment from the public at large, who, in the current downturn, find it difficult to apply for loans and mortgages - and struggle to keep the payments up on them.

Trust is ebbing away from politics and so a serious reform of MP's expenses is urgently required.

Dale Mulgrew

(LibDem Parliamentary spokesperson for Rossendale and Darwen)"